As the trial unfolds against rapper Young Thug and the alleged YSL street gang, emotions continue to run high in the community.
ATLANTA — The legal battle involving rapper Young Thug and the alleged YSL street gang grips hearts on Monday.
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Today, jurors are excused from court.
Witness the courtroom drama via the YouTube player below.
Witness the trial’s unfolding drama in the video players above and below:
Delving Deeper into the Young Thug, YSL trial
On May 9, 2022, the world of hip-hop was rocked by the news of rapper Young Thug’s arrest—a Grammy winner, a trendsetter, and an Atlanta icon.
For over two years now, the artist, known legally as Jeffery Williams, has been incarcerated. At the core of the case lies the allegation that the three letters synonymous with his name due to his success in launching the “Young Stoner Life” label, YSL, actually represent a violent gang: Young Slime Life.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis implicated Williams, along with other Atlanta rappers and associates linked to the alleged gang, in an extensive 88-page indictment against 28 individuals. The accusation goes beyond just Young Thug’s affiliation with the gang; it asserts him as its leader.
“He’s the one they all fear,” a prosecutor stated at a June 2022 hearing. “He’s the crowned King Slime.”
Following a lengthy pretrial phase and an even more extended jury selection process, the co-defendants dwindled in number due to plea bargains and other factors, leading to some of the accused being dismissed from the case.
The trial finally kicked off vigorously in November 2023, already being deemed Georgia’s lengthiest legal battle.
As the trial proceeds, 11Alive collates crucial updates and courtroom highlights. Follow the unfolding narrative in the timeline below.
