In Atlanta, Ga., the nation’s eyes are fixated on what should have been the 100th day of Young Thug’s high-profile trial – a saga that has unfolded as one of the most extended legal proceedings. The presiding judge is now conducting a private investigation to trace the source responsible for leaking a confidential exchange between him and a key prosecution witness to the opposing party.
Since the commencement of the rapper’s globally watched trial on November 27, 2023, in Atlanta, Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville’s calendar has witnessed 63 full days of trial sessions, 34 half days, 59 breaks, and three canceled court days.
On this day, Glanville has convened a private review of the trial transcript from June 10, 2024, during which Young Thug’s attorney, Brian Steel, was held in contempt by the judge. However, this order was temporarily suspended pending the Supreme Court of Georgia’s decision.
Mark your calendars for July 3, as a public court hearing will delve into the same leak issue. The witness testimony in the trial is slated to recommence on Monday, July 8.
Glanville has summoned Kenneth Copeland, with standby attorney Kayla Bumpus, to a hearing to justify why they should not face contempt charges for divulging an ex parte discussion to Steel on June 10, 2024. Additionally, all individuals present during the conversation have been ordered to appear.
This order materialized amidst one of the trial’s most tumultuous weeks. It all began on Friday, June 7, 2024, when Copeland, also known as Woody or Lil’ Woody, was incarcerated for his refusal to testify. Copeland, allegedly the informant on crimes linked to Young Thug and the purported YSL criminal organization, later decided to cooperate on Monday.
Subsequently, Glanville directed the arrest of Steel for contempt after he declined to disclose the source of how he obtained information about the ex parte conversation.
The term ex parte, translated from Latin as “out of the party,” signifies a judgement made by a judge without the presence of all disputing parties.
Regarding this, trial attorney Tom Church remarked, “The judge was engaging in ex parte communications with the district attorney and a witness, meaning he communicated with them without the defense present—a practice considered improper.” Church further elaborated on Steel’s actions and the mistrial motion he filed.
Reports from the trial’s court reporter indicate that Steel obtained details of the ex parte conversation between Fulton County prosecutors and Glanville. However, Steel resisted revealing his source upon Glanville’s inquiry.
Steel and Young Thug’s defense counsel, Keith Adams, have persistently sought a mistrial, a sentiment shared by other defendants’ attorneys in the trial. Glanville has consistently dismissed these motions and even rejected a recusal motion from Steel and his cohorts.
The courtroom drama extends to discussions about Copeland’s police interrogations and recordings from his time in jail. Steel accused prosecutors of coercing Copeland, who he claimed was in a pressured environment surrounded by law enforcement and district attorney personnel.
In 2021, Copeland found himself in Fulton County’s custody following a traffic stop that unveiled a concealed weapon. Despite facing a potential 10-year sentence for unlawful possession due to his prior felony conviction, Copeland divulged details of past and imminent crimes during a lengthy interrogation.
Previously, Copeland had been incarcerated in federal prison on October 22, 2018, for firearm possession by a felon, an incident that occurred when he brought an assault rifle into Atlanta’s Mechanicsville community.
In a 2022 sweep, Williams was among 28 individuals arrested in Buckhead as part of a 56-count indictment, reflecting the vast legal ramifications of the trial.
The prolonged jury selection process for this trial broke prior Georgia records, and the anticipated witness testimony phase is projected to exceed state benchmarks, surpassing similar trials like the 2014-15 Atlanta Public Schools teacher scandal.
The trial, besieged by arrests, charges, and disruptions, commenced on November 27, 2023. Concerns have been raised by the defense about the potentially protracted trial duration due to the extensive witness list the state intends to summon.
Prosecutors aim to portray YSL (Young Slime Life) as a criminal street gang responsible for various crimes; however, defense attorneys rebut this, asserting that YSL is merely a record label affiliated with Young Stoner Life.
Young Thug is confronting eight criminal charges under a federal statute originally designed to combat organized crime. While Georgia has its own RICO law, the state’s version doesn’t mandate prior existence of criminal enterprises, forming a critical juncture in the trial.
Williams faces charges for possessing marijuana, codeine, cocaine, firearms, and a machine gun with intent to distribute. Despite the prosecution’s assertions of Williams’s gang leadership, his attorneys dispute these claims.
Of the 18 jurors selected, six are alternates, with two jurors excused due to medical emergencies and relocation out of Fulton County.
Atlanta News First is offering comprehensive coverage of Young Thug’s trial via its live stream and YouTube channel.
How can I watch the Young Thug trial?
Catch Atlanta News First’s live coverage of the trial on ANF+ live streams accessible via our website, YouTube, as well as Roku, Fire TV, and AppleTV. Stay updated with the latest trial developments on our digital platforms.
Download our Atlanta News First app to receive real-time updates on Young Thug’s landmark trial.
Copyright 2023 WANF. All rights reserved.
