Young Thug trial told about alleged gun theft after jury debacle: Latest
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The hotly-anticipated trial of the rapper Young Thug is underway in a courtroom in Atlanta, Georgia, following almost a year of delays.
In May 2022, Young Thug, real name Jeffery Williams, was arrested and charged in a sprawling RICO indictment along with 27 other defendants.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis – who is using the same law to prosecute Donald Trump in his Georgia election interference case – accused the suspects of being part of a criminal street gang named YSL or “Young Slime Life.”
According to prosecutors, the gang is responsible for a series of violent crimes, including murders, shootings, carjackings and racketeering.
Young Thug has denied the accusations and insisted that YSL is simply Young Thug’s record label – Young Stoner Life.
After several defendants took plea deals or had their cases severed, the Grammy Award-winning rapper and five others are finally on trial.
Prosecutors have called up seven witnesses so far, including one man who claimed that his gun was stolen; the prosecution has accused Mr Williams of stealing it.
The court was not in session on Friday but will resume on Monday, 4 December.
Key points
Young Thug charged in sprawling RICO case
What is YSL?
Trial jurors were exposed on camera, but the trial continued anyway
What does ‘Pushin P’ mean? Our dictionary guide to the YSL trial can help
11:00 , Kelly Rissman
ICYMI: Viral moment when Mr Williams’ attorney defines ‘thug’
Young Thug’s lawyer explains what “Young Thug” means: "Truly Humbled Under God. That's what Thug means." pic.twitter.com/MCf04Rn5m4
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 28, 2023
07:00 , Kelly Rissman
Who has testified so far?
The prosecution has called up seven witnesses to testify.
Mark Belknap is a detective for APD. He testified about gang signs and gave background into his findings of YSL and their identifiers.
Mellissa Rosser is a “house mom” of an adult entertainment club. She testified about a carjacking incident in 2013.
Capt Reginald Pettis, of the APD, also testified about the same incident and the OnStar system that tracked the stolen vehicle to an apartment complex that he monitored.
Sgt Jonathan Heeb is discussing an August 2013 incident involving Mr Stillwell and “the green store.”
Lt Scott Jimenez also testified about the incident.
Andrew Phillips testified about goods — a laptop, two guns and a blanket — that were stolen from his home; Mr Williams aka Young Thug is accused of committing the theft in the indictment. He has pleaded not guilty.
Senior Patrol Officer Michael Monheim testified about the arrest of someone named Jeffery Williams.
03:00 , Kelly Rissman
Confused about the terms in the trial? We can help
The rapper, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, is in court in Fulton County, Georgia, fighting gang and racketeering charges in connection with what prosecutors say is a violent street gang he co-founded called Young Slime Life (YSL). He and 27 defendants other are facing RICO charges and have each been individually charged with other violations. Mr Williams has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The first week of the trial was off to a rocky start, plagued by a motion for mistrial, frequent objections, numerous sidebars, and chaos after jurors’ faces were accidentally captured on camera.
But perhaps the most viral moments from the trial so far have consisted of the unusual terminology and references being used.
From “Pushin P” to “SLATT,” here’s a guide to the most important - and perplexing - words and phrases so far:
YSL and Pushin P: A dictionary guide to the Young Thug trial
Sunday 3 December 2023 23:00 , Kelly Rissman
What is RICO?
RICO stands for the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, which is a state law in Georgia based on the 1970 federal law, allowing the prosecution of alleged criminal organizations.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis explained at a press conference following the 2022 indictment: “RICO is a tool that allows a prosecutor’s office and law enforcement to tell the whole story. We use it as a tool so they can have all the information they need to make a wise decision.”
Donald Trump and his 18 codefendants were also charged under this Georgia statute.
Sunday 3 December 2023 19:00 , Kelly Rissman
Controversy after jurors’ faces caught on camera
During the third day of the trial on Wednesday, a camera mistakenly panned across the jury panel as a witness made their way to the stand to testify. Screenshots of the footage, in which parts of at least two of the jurors’ faces are shown, inevitably spread like wildfire online.
The incident prompted a lengthy delay of proceedings along with fears that a mistrial would ensue — after a grueling 11 months of jury selection, no less. But that didn’t happen.
Instead, Judge Ural Glanville instructed members of the media in the courtroom to stop filming the expert witness, an Atlanta Police detective, “due to some security issues” relating to the “inadvertent recording of some of our jurors in the front row.”
But still, the trial went on.
Read more to learn what happened next...
Young Thug trial jurors were exposed on video. The case is continuing anyway
Sunday 3 December 2023 15:00 , Kelly Rissman
ICYMI: Testimony from Mellissa Rosser over 2013 carjacking incident
In Young Thug’s RICO trial, Mellissa Dees-Rosser, a “house mom” at the Pink Pony South strip club outside Atlanta, testifies about getting carjacked on her way home from work.
“I guess my mind knew something was about to happen, something that wasn’t good.” pic.twitter.com/yqNOF8uq8Y— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) November 30, 2023
Sunday 3 December 2023 11:00 , Kelly Rissman
What is a ‘Studio Gangster’?
“Studio Gangster” is a derogatory term, according to Detective Belknap.
Mr Belknap said the term is used when someone “takes on the persona” of being violent when entering the music studio, but may not be in real life. So, calling someone that is a “slur” and a “huge sign of disrespect” to those actually involved in a criminal gang, he explained.
Sunday 3 December 2023 07:00 , Kelly Rissman
What does ‘SLATT’ mean?
The prosecution and some law enforcement witnesses have mentioned “SLATT.” The indictment says that it is an abbreviation for “Slime Love All the Time.”
Atlanta Police Department detective Mark Belknap, a witness for the prosecution, told jurors that “SLATT” is an identifier of the gang YSL, and can often be used in tattoos, graffiti or on social media.
Sunday 3 December 2023 03:00 , Kelly Rissman
Why was Bleach anime referenced at the trial?
In her opening statement, defence attorney Angela D’Williams, who represents defendant Rodalius Ryan, referenced the anime called Bleach.
“This reminds me of an anime named Bleach,” she said, before describing that the storyline of the “Bounts,” who are “villains of the whole thing,” takes place only in season four and five. After those seasons, they aren’t mentioned, Ms D’Williams said.
“Why don’t you hear about these important characters? Because they’re filler characters,” she continued. “Me and Rodalius, we’re filler characters. We’re not integral to the story.” The attorney was trying to downplay her client’s alleged involvement: “They just drag him out of prison to jail to make this bigger than it has to be.”
Mr Ryan is only charged with one count, the same racketeering charge that every defendant is facing. He is currently serving a life sentence after being convicted for murder.
Saturday 2 December 2023 21:00 , Kelly Rissman
‘Pushin’ P’ defined
Defence attorney Brian Steel pulled up a Powerpoint slide during his opening remarks showing a photo of his client, Mr Williams, flashing a hand sign. The indictment states that Mr Williams is flashing a “‘Bloods’ gang sign.” Mr Steel said the prosecution is arguing that his hand is in the shape of a “B.”
Mr Steel said that his client was holding up the letter “P” before referencing a song by Mr Williams and his codefendant Sergio Kitchens, aka Gunna, called “pushin P.” The lawyer translated the song to mean “pushing positivity.”
According to Mr Steel, “It means, any circumstance you’re in, if you think positively about something, you can make it through. You’re pushing positivity.”
The term has been represented online by the ð ¿ï¸ emoji and is understood to mean “keeping it real” or, according to Mr Kitchens on The Breakfast Club, it “could” mean keeping it “player.”
Saturday 2 December 2023 19:00 , Kelly Rissman
Recap: The trial got off to a rocky start
The prosecutor, Adriane Love, was finally able to begin her opening statements — but was stopped a few times with objections. Defence attorney Brian Steel made three objections to her opening statement, all of which were sustained.
The trial then came to a screeching halt when the jury was asked to leave the room and the defence team said that Ms Love hadn’t provided certain Powerpoint slides, which she was presenting to the jury, to the defence ahead of the trial, prompting Mr Steel to motion for a mistrial. The motion was denied.
After the court returned from lunch, the judge snapped at attorneys from both sides for having “wasted two hours.”
Read the full story...
Young Thug’s YSL trial kicks off with scoldings, ‘wasted time’ and no tempo
Saturday 2 December 2023 15:00 , Kelly Rissman
How has the music industry reacted to the trial?
Several big names in the music industry have expressed support for YSL and hit out at prosecutors’ efforts to use their own lyrics against them.
Canadian superstar Drake referenced the case in the track Sticky on his new album Honestly, Nevermind.
“Somebody’s getting paid and/Free Big Slime out the cage,” Drake says in the song.
Killer Mike of rap group Run The Jewels previously told ABC News: “Hip hop is not respected as an art because Black people in this country are not recognised as full human beings.
“If we allow the courts to prosecute these men based on characters they created and stories of pretend that they tell in rhyme then next, they’ll be at your door.”
Saturday 2 December 2023 11:00 , Kelly Rissman
How long has Young Thug been behind bars?
Young Thug has been in prison since his arrest in May 2022.
Earlier this month, a jury was finally selected after almost one year – with over 2,000 people having been summoned to possibly serve.
Now, opening statements in the trial are set to begin on 27 November.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the trial could end up being the longest in Georgia’s history.
Saturday 2 December 2023 07:00 , Kelly Rissman
Trial jurors were exposed on video, but the case is continuing anyway
Rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, has spent the week in court in Fulton County, Georgia, fighting gang and racketeering charges in connection with what prosecutors say is a violent street gang he co-founded called Young Slime Life (YSL).
During the third day of the trial on Wednesday, a camera mistakenly panned across the jury panel as a witness made their way to the stand to testify. Screenshots of the footage, in which parts of at least two of the jurors’ faces are shown, inevitably spread like wildfire online.
The incident prompted a lengthy delay of proceedings along with fears that a mistrial would ensue — after a grueling 11 months of jury selection, no less. But that didn’t happen.
Instead, Judge Ural Glanville instructed members of the media in the courtroom to stop filming the expert witness, an Atlanta Police detective, “due to some security issues” relating to the “inadvertent recording of some of our jurors in the front row.”
Read the full story...
Young Thug trial jurors were exposed on video. The case is continuing anyway
Saturday 2 December 2023 03:00 , Kelly Rissman
Who has testified so far?
The prosecution has called up seven witnesses to testify.
Mark Belknap is a detective for APD. He testified about gang signs and gave background into his findings of YSL and their identifiers.
Mellissa Rosser is a “house mom” of an adult entertainment club. She testified about a carjacking incident in 2013.
Capt Reginald Pettis, of the APD, also testified about the same incident and the OnStar system that tracked the stolen vehicle to an apartment complex that he monitored.
Sgt Jonathan Heeb is discussing an August 2013 incident involving Mr Stillwell and “the green store.”
Lt Scott Jimenez also testified about the incident.
Andrew Phillips testified about goods — a laptop, two guns and a blanket — that were stolen from his home; Mr Williams aka Young Thug is accused of committing the theft in the indictment. He has pleaded not guilty.
Senior Patrol Officer Michael Monheim testified about the arrest of someone named Jeffery Williams.
Saturday 2 December 2023 01:00 , Kelly Rissman
Why is Young Thug on trial?
Rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, has spent the week in court in Fulton County, Georgia, fighting gang and racketeering charges in connection with what prosecutors say is a violent street gang he co-founded called Young Slime Life (YSL).
He and 27 other defendants are facing RICO charges. The rapper is also facing additional charges, including possessing a machine gun. Mr Williams has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Friday 1 December 2023 23:00 , Kelly Rissman
Who are the 28 codefendants?
Kahlieff Adams A/K/A Bobby Hunt
Martinez Arnold A/K/A Duke
Derontae Bebee A/K/A Bee A/K/A B
Damone Blalock A/K/A Bali
Javaris Bradford A/K/A Tuda‘
Justin Cobb A/K/A Duwap
Cordarius Dorsey A/K/A Polo A/K/A Juicy
Christian Eppinger A/K/A Bhris
Miles Farley A/K/A Slato A/K/A Lil Miles
Jevon Fleetwood A/K/A 4tray A/K/A Psycho
Damekion Garlington A/K/A Dee A/K/A Sxarfaxe
Quantavious Grier A/K/A Unfoonk
Marquavius Huey A/K/A Qua
Deamonte Kendrick A/K/A Yak Gotti
Sergio Kitchens A/K/A Gunna
W U Nnie Lee A/K/A Slimelife Shawty
Demise Mcmullen A/K/A Nard
Tenquarius Mender A/K/A Nard A/K/A Stunna
Walter Murphy A/K/A Dk
Jayden Myricka/K/A Settrip A/K/A Jayman
Quamarvious Nichols A/K/A Qua
Rodalius Ryan A/K/A Lil Rod
Antonio Sledge A/K/A Mounk Tounk
Trontavious Stephens A/K/A Tick A/K/A Slug
Shannon Stillwell A/K/A Shannon Jackson A/K/A Sb
Antonio Sumlin A/K/A Obama
Jeffery Williamsa/K/A Young Thug A/K/A Slime
Jimmy Winfrey A/K/A Roscoe
Friday 1 December 2023 20:50 , Kelly Rissman
WATCH: Opening statements in YSL trial
Friday 1 December 2023 18:36 , Kelly Rissman
Your dictionary guide to the YSL trial
The first week of the trial was off to a rocky start, plagued by a motion for mistrial, frequent objections, numerous sidebars, and chaos after jurors’ faces were accidentally captured on camera.
But perhaps the most viral moments from the trial so far have consisted of the unusual terminology and references being used.
Here’s a guide to the most important - and perplexing - words and phrases so far:
YSL and Pushin P: A dictionary guide to the Young Thug trial
Friday 1 December 2023 16:53 , Kelly Rissman
Court is not in session on Friday
The court is taking an administrative day, Judge Glanville said earlier in the week.
Proceedings will resume on Monday, December 4.
Friday 1 December 2023 14:52 , Kelly Rissman
ICYMI: After jurors were caught on camera, the trial went on
Rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, has spent the week in court in Fulton County, Georgia, fighting gang and racketeering charges in connection with what prosecutors say is a violent street gang he co-founded called Young Slime Life (YSL).
During the third day of the trial on Wednesday, a camera mistakenly panned across the jury panel as a witness made their way to the stand to testify. Screenshots of the footage, in which parts of at least two of the jurors’ faces are shown, inevitably spread like wildfire online.
The incident prompted a lengthy delay of proceedings along with fears that a mistrial would ensue — after a grueling 11 months of jury selection, no less. But that didn’t happen.
Instead, Judge Ural Glanville instructed members of the media in the courtroom to stop filming the expert witness, an Atlanta Police detective, “due to some security issues” relating to the “inadvertent recording of some of our jurors in the front row.”
Read the full story...
Friday 1 December 2023 13:00 , Kelly Rissman
What is YSL?
It depends who you ask.
YSL is Young Thug’s own record label – Young Slime Life. Artists on his record label are considered part of the “Slime Family,” and a compilation album, “Slime Language 2,” rose to number one on the US charts in April 2021.
Its artists include Gunna and Lil Keed, though several contemporary artists, including Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti, Lil Baby, and Travis Scott have also expressed allegiance to YSL without being contractually signed.
However, according to prosecutors, YSL is actually a “criminal street gang”, which started out in the Cleveland Avenue area of Atlanta and claims affiliation to the national Bloods gang.
According to a sprawling 88-page indictment, the members of YSL use “a variety of identifiers including colours, clothing, tattoos, and hand signs” to show their allegiance to the group.
The most predominant colours used by members of YSL are red for Bloods and green for Slime.
Defence attorneys meanwhile insist that YSL is just a music label.
Friday 1 December 2023 11:00 , Kelly Rissman
No fingerprints on the gun that Young Thug is accused of stealing
Monheim said there were no fingerprints collected from the firearms and he has no evidence that Young Thug even touched the firearm. @ajc #YSL
— Jozsef Papp (@JozsefPapp_) November 30, 2023
Friday 1 December 2023 09:00 , Kelly Rissman
Trial jurors were exposed on video but the case is continuing anyway
At the start of Thursday’s proceedings, Judge Glanville opened by reminding the media: “Please make sure that you do not take any photos…of any of our jurors. We had a problem with that yesterday.” He acknowledged that yesterday’s incident “wasn’t intentional.”
Not long after the first witness of the day was called up to the stand, the court broke for recess and attorneys met with the judge privately.
Both parties returned to their seats and the judge then said, “I believe that we’ve addressed that issue yesterday with the request to be more mindful of the placement of cameras.”
But a prosecutor stood up, pointing out that after talking to the media in court last night, “the state has been made aware that this particular post has been shared a number of times and it is of concern for the integrity of this case.”
Young Thug trial jurors were exposed on video. The case is continuing anyway
Friday 1 December 2023 07:00 , Kelly Rissman
Who testified on Thursday?
The prosecution called up six witnesses to testify — only one of them was shown on camera, likely as a precautionary measure following the slip up when the camera showed the jurors yesterday.
Mellissa Rosser is a “house mom” of an adult entertainment club. She testified about a carjacking incident in 2013.
Capt Reginald Pettis, of the APD, also testified about the same incident and the OnStar system that tracked the stolen vehicle to an apartment complex that he monitored.
Sgt Jonathan Heeb is discussing an August 2013 incident involving Mr Stillwell and “the green store.”
Lt Scott Jimenez also testified about the incident.
Andrew Phillips testified about goods — a laptop, two guns and a blanket — that were stolen from his home; Mr Williams aka Young Thug is accused of committing the theft in the indictment. He has pleaded not guilty.
Senior Patrol Officer Michael Monheim testified about the arrest of someone named Jeffery Williams.
Friday 1 December 2023 05:00 , Kelly Rissman
Trial terms: What is a ‘studio gangster’?
Detective Belknap said the term is used when someone “takes on the persona” of being violent when entering the studio, but may not be in real life.
He said calling someone that is a “slur” and a “huge sign of disrespect” to those actually involved in a criminal gang.
Friday 1 December 2023 04:00 , Kelly Rissman
Detective discussed YSL identifiers
In court on Wednesday, Detective Belknap discussed some identifiers often associated with YSL, which he called a street gang.
He described a hand sign that depicts the letters Y, S, and L with fingers. The detective also talked about another hand sign in which one’s index finger sits under one’s nose.
He also said certain tattoos and clothes, like a hoodie or a hat that includes “Slime” on it.
The word “SLATT,” which apparently stands for “slime love all the time,” is often seen in graffiti and tattoos.
Friday 1 December 2023 03:00 , Kelly Rissman
What’s happened in the YSL trial so far?
The highly anticipated Young Thug trial got off to a slow and rocky start — consistent with a pretrial process, as jury selection took nearly 11 months to complete.
The prosecution portrayed the rapper as the “head” of the so-called “criminal street gang” YSL (Young Slime Life), and used lyrics in its opening statement to support its case, but not without many delays and a fiery Judge Ural Glanville, who seemed upset with both sides on Monday.
The rapper, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, and 27 other defendants have been charged in a sweeping 65-count indictment. Mr Williams has been charged with eight counts, including possession of a firearm while committing a felony and possession of a machine gun. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
All defendants have been charged with racketeering. Prosecutors say YSL is a gang; the defence insists it is just a record label.
The trial began nearly an hour and a half behind schedule because a juror was late.
Read the full story...
Young Thug’s YSL trial kicks off with scoldings, ‘wasted time’ and no tempo
Friday 1 December 2023 02:00 , Kelly Rissman
What are the charges against YSL members?
The YSL members named in the indictment are charged with conspiracy to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
The act is similar to its federal counterpart, which is used to convict large-scale organisations such as the mafia.
According to the indictment, associates of YSL “conspired to associate together and with others for the common purposes of illegally obtaining money and property through a pattern of racketeering activity”.
It claims that YSL members were involved in murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, theft, drug dealing, carjacking, and witness intimidation.
Other activities include “the posting of messages, images, videos and songs, demonstrating allegiance to the enterprise and willingness to engage in violence on its behalf”.
Prosecutors claim they can show that some of the group’s lyrics are related to crimes that they are accused of committing.
Through these activities and more the gang aimed to “preserve, protect, and enhance the reputation, power and territory” of the enterprise, prosecutors said.
Friday 1 December 2023 01:00 , Kelly Rissman
Thursday’s court drama after jurors were captured on camera
Not long after the first witness of the day was called up to the stand, the court broke for recess and attorneys met with the judge privately.
Both parties returned to their seats and the judge then said, “I believe that we’ve addressed that issue yesterday with the request to be more mindful of the placement of cameras.”
But a prosecutor stood up, pointing out that after talking to the media in court last night, “the state has been made aware that this particular post has been shared a number of times and it is of concern for the integrity of this case.”
“That’s in your pleas,” Judge Glanville said, adding, “If you make it an issue, then I think you draw attention when you may not necessarily need to.”
“It’s very possible” that jurors may have been contacted by family members or friends that “may impair their ability to be fair,” the prosecutor continued.
Read the full story...
Young Thug trial jurors were exposed on video. The case is continuing anyway
Friday 1 December 2023 00:00 , Kelly Rissman
ICYMI: Testimony from this morning from Mellissa Rosser
In Young Thug’s RICO trial, Mellissa Dees-Rosser, a “house mom” at the Pink Pony South strip club outside Atlanta, testifies about getting carjacked on her way home from work.
“I guess my mind knew something was about to happen, something that wasn’t good.” pic.twitter.com/yqNOF8uq8Y— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) November 30, 2023
Thursday 30 November 2023 23:00 , Kelly Rissman
Who testified on Thursday?
The prosecution called up six witnesses to testify — only one of them was shown on camera, likely as a precautionary measure following the slip up when the camera showed the jurors yesterday.
Mellissa Rosser is a “house mom” of an adult entertainment club. She testified about a carjacking incident in 2013.
Capt Reginald Pettis, of the APD, also testified about the same incident and the OnStar system that tracked the stolen vehicle to an apartment complex that he monitored.
Sgt Jonathan Heeb is discussing an August 2013 incident involving Mr Stillwell and “the green store.”
Lt Scott Jimenez also testified about the incident.
Andrew Phillips testified about goods — a laptop, two guns and a blanket — that were stolen from his home; Mr Williams aka Young Thug is accused of committing the theft in the indictment. He has pleaded not guilty.
Senior Patrol Officer Michael Monheim testified about the arrest of someone named Jeffery Williams.
Thursday 30 November 2023 22:55 , Kelly Rissman
The court will not be in session on Friday
The court is adjourning for the day and will return on 4 December.
The judge told jurors that they needed to tell him “immediately” if someone on social media reached out to them, perhaps anticipating people trying to contact jurors after some of their faces were accidentally exposed on camera yesterday.
Thursday 30 November 2023 22:45 , Kelly Rissman
Mr Brian Steel cross-examined Mr Monheim
Mr Steel, the defence attorney, pointed out that Mr Monheim was not a part of the burglary investigation.
He also suggested that Mr Williams was “cooperative,” to which Mr Monheim agreed.
Mr Steel then picked up the gun in question. He was “making everyone nervous” by how he was holding the weapon, the judge joked, but asked him to hold the firearm differently.
Thursday 30 November 2023 22:28 , Kelly Rissman
The ‘stolen’ gun, discussed
Mr Monheim said the gun recovered from the Dodge Challenger was “reported stolen for a burglary” in Buckhead on 10 July 2013.
He said he took out a warrant for Mr Williams’ arrest, including possession of a controlled substance.
When asked where Mr Williams was sitting and what he was wearing, he described Mr William sin front of him, adding that he was wearing a black turtleneck sweater. “The officer has identified the defendant Jeffery Williams,” Ms Love said.
Mr Williams remained stoic.
Thursday 30 November 2023 22:11 , Kelly Rissman
The expected last witness takes the stand
The prosecution called Senior Patrol Officer Michael Monheim of the APD to the stand.
Mr Monheim talked about the traffic stop of a Dodge Challenger; the driver said he didn’t have a driver’s license, the patrol officer said. The driver gave his name as “Jeffery Williams,” Mr Monheim said, and described him as a young Black man with long braids.
The officer said he arrested the driver, and noticed a “clear plastic bag with blue pills” in the cup holder and a 9mm handgun underneath the front passenger seat.
Thursday 30 November 2023 22:00 , Kelly Rissman
Cross-examination of the witness
Keith Adams, a defence attorney, cross-examined Mr Phillips. He asked him about the serial number; Mr Phillips said that law enforcement confirmed the serial number was the same as the one he told them.
Mr Adams asked if he could tell the jury that this gun was his by the serial number. Mr Phillips said he couldn’t recall the serial number off the top of his head.
The witness was temporarily released him.
Thursday 30 November 2023 21:46 , Kelly Rissman
As the jury breaks, a defence lawyer makes some asks
Young Thug's attorney Brian Steel has a motion about the state's next witness to ensure some things are not mentioned.
— Jozsef Papp (@JozsefPapp_) November 30, 2023
Thursday 30 November 2023 21:40 , Kelly Rissman
Andrew Phillips is now testifying
Mr Phillips was living in Buckhead, GA with his wife. He is testifying about the first overt act that deals with Young Thug.
After returning from vacation, he noticed one of his house doors was ajar, prompting him to call the police. “There were no signs of any forced entry,” Mr Phillips said.
He said he noticed some items were missing: his wife’s Apple laptop, a blanket, a handgun and a shotgun.
The prosecution showed him a gun; Mr Phillips said the gun looked like his, with one notable feature being an insignia that is only issued to Navy SEALs. (He is not a Navy SEAL, he said, but liked it.)
Like the last three witnesses, Mr Phillips is also not being shown on camera.
Thursday 30 November 2023 21:30 , Kelly Rissman
WATCH: This week in review as the fourth day of the trial is underway
Thursday 30 November 2023 21:12 , Kelly Rissman
Scott Jimenez takes the stand
In the fourth witness of the day, the prosecution’s next witness is an APD lieutenant.
He was also discussing the incident involving Mr Stillwell in 2013.
Thursday 30 November 2023 20:56 , Kelly Rissman
Who is Shannon Stillwell?
Sgt Jonathan Heeb is discussing an August 2013 incident involving Mr Stillwell.
According to the indictment, Stillwell is “an associate of YSL, did commit the felony offense of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, in violation of Georgia law pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 16-13-30)(1), which is an act of racketeering activity under O.C.G.A. § 16-14-3 (5)(A) (xxxvi), and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.”
Thursday 30 November 2023 20:30 , Kelly Rissman
ICYMI: Drama has consumed the court after jurors faces were exposed
During the third day of the trial on Wednesday, a camera mistakenly panned across the jury panel as a witness made their way to the stand to testify. Screenshots of the footage, in which parts of at least two of the jurors’ faces are shown, inevitably spread like wildfire online.
The incident prompted a lengthy delay of proceedings along with fears that a mistrial would ensue — after a grueling 11 months of jury selection, no less. But that didn’t happen.
Instead, Judge Ural Glanville instructed members of the media in the courtroom to stop filming the expert witness, an Atlanta Police detective, “due to some security issues” relating to the “inadvertent recording of some of our jurors in the front row.”
At the start of Thursday’s proceedings, Judge Glanville opened by reminding the media: “Please make sure that you do not take any photos…of any of our jurors. We had a problem with that yesterday.” He acknowledged that yesterday’s incident “wasn’t intentional.”
Thursday 30 November 2023 20:00 , Kelly Rissman
Sergeant Heeb takes the stand
The judge asked the media to not take a photo or video of the witness, Sgt Heeb of the Atlanta Police Department.
Mr Heeb talked about the “green store,” where he testified that narcotics were sold.
Thursday 30 November 2023 19:45 , Kelly Rissman
WATCH: Viral moment this morning when a prosecutor voices concern about jurors’ exposed faces
Prosecutors in Young Thug’s trial are concerned about the virality of the screenshots showing the jurors yesterday, but Judge Glanville isn’t and says stop drawing attention to it.
He indicates the court hasn’t told jurors about this.
“I’m not going to weird them out,” he said. pic.twitter.com/rSEdShLY5V— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) November 30, 2023
Thursday 30 November 2023 19:23 , Kelly Rissman
Trial delayed — again
The trial of YSL was supposed to resume at 2pm after an hour-long lunch break but 20 minutes after 2pm, the trial is yet to restart.
This morning showed two witnesses, a woman whose car was hijacked in 2013 and a police captain who was dressed as a plain clothes officer who responded to the incident.
Thursday 30 November 2023 18:15 , Kelly Rissman
The firearm that Trontavious Stephens allegedly had during the incident was shown to the witness
The gun Trontavious Stephens allegedly had during the incident was just shown to Pettis and the jury after a quick inspection from Young Thug’s attorney Keith Adams. @ajc #YSL pic.twitter.com/M7NI3GSqCM
— Jozsef Papp (@JozsefPapp_) November 30, 2023
Thursday 30 November 2023 18:03 , Kelly Rissman
The court is on lunch and will resume at 2pm
After hearing from two witnesses this morning about the events leading up to and following a carjacking incident that occurred in January 2013, the court is taking a lunch break.
