The racketeering and gang conspiracy trial against Young Thug and five associates in Atlanta, Georgia—already the largest criminal trial in Georgia history at 18 months, with more days to come—has been halted indefinitely due to alleged misconduct by Judge Ural of Fulton Glanville County Superior Court, states The Washington Post. Earlier today, Judge Glanville announced that the case will not proceed until another judge decides whether he should recuse himself from overseeing the trial. This follows accusations by defense lawyers who claimed Judge Glanville held a secret meeting with prosecutors and key witness Kenneth Copeland to pressure him to testify, which the lawyers say was improper and unconstitutional.
Earlier today, Glanville went public with the hearing and announced plans to release the full transcript of his meeting with Cowland “so everyone has a chance to see it,” but then reversed himself, he notes The Washington Post. Glanville then said he would refer the motions for relief to another judge to decide whether or not he should remain in the case.
Brian Steel, Young Thug's lead attorney, previously asked Glanville about the meeting and declined to reveal who tipped him off about it. As a result, Steel was found in criminal contempt last month and ordered to serve 20 days in jail. Disputes over Copeland's testimony and evidentiary issues also delayed the deposition, with jurors last hearing statements on June 17.
Today marks 100 days since the opening statements. Young Thug's trial has been dragged out by a myriad of issues, most notably a jury selection process that lasted a grueling 10 months and, just two weeks after the trial began in late November, another delay after one of Young Thug's co-defendants, Shannon. Stilwell was stabbed in prison and hospitalized. Stilwell survived the attack. Prosecutors are not yet halfway through their projected witness list of more than 200 people, and the trial is expected to last into 2025, he notes The Washington Post.
Young Thug is facing several charges, mostly based on the allegation that he led the Young Slime Life (YSL) gang, with ties to the Bloods national organization. During opening arguments, Adriane Love, the chief deputy district attorney for Fulton County, told the jury that YSL “moved like a pack,” with Young Thug “as its head,” as it sought to dominate its territory Atlanta. The defense countered by arguing that YSL is just a record label whose artists adhere to the conventions of rap music, presenting entertaining narratives of criminal life that its interns don't actually carry out.
Steel previously said that Young Thug “hasn't committed any crime.” During opening arguments, he added that the rapper's music tells a rags-to-riches story, from “depression, despair, hopelessness and helplessness” to wealth and fame, and claimed that Thug is now taking advantage of true criminals who they will testify against him.
The judge also allowed prosecutors to submit song lyrics as evidence, a controversial legal practice that analysts have discredited.
