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Georgia’s longest-running trial ended when the last two defendants were acquitted in the case.
The jury’s verdict in the Young Slime Life trial comes as a blow for Trump prosecutor, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis who has been prosecuting the case that began in 2022.
“The jury found Deamonte Kendrick, who raps as Yak Gotti, not guilty on all charges. The jury found Shannon Stillwell guilty on only one charge for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon,” WSB-TV reported. “Stillwell was sentenced to the 10-year maximum with credit for the two years he already served. The balance will be served on probation.”
(Video Credit: 11Alive)
The case was brought by Willis charging 28 people for violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. She used Georgia’s RICO law to prosecute former President Donald Trump and 18 allies for election fraud.
Testimony in the YSL case began a year ago in November 2023 after a 10-month process to find a jury to decide the fate of Stillwell and Kendrick who were accused of murdering a rival gang member.
Donovan Thomas Jr., known as “Big Nut,” was killed during a drive-by shooting.
“Prosecutors have argued that tattoos, social media postings, and other evidence support their claims that YSL is a gang. The defense said that’s not true and argued that Kendrick and Stillwell are part of a record label and not a gang,” WSB-TV reported.
Before the trial had even begun, nine of the defendants copped plea deals.
BREAKING: YSL verdicts delivered in court. Another loss for Fani Willis as Deamonte Kendrick (aka Yak Gotti) was found not guilty on all the counts against him, and Stillwell was found guilty only on one count: Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Stillwell was… pic.twitter.com/kXRNidfMhW
— Melissa Hallman (@dotconnectinga) December 3, 2024
Kendrick appeared in court despite having been stabbed in jail in Union City days earlier. Last year, the trial was paused after Stillwell was stabbed at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta. The two were the last of those charged who did not accept plea deals.
“Young Thug, the platinum-selling rapper born Jeffery Williams, accepted a guilty plea on Oct. 31 and was released from jail after being sentenced to time served and 15 years of strict probation. As the case limped toward its conclusion in recent weeks, three other defendants also negotiated plea deals amid chaotic proceedings,” according to the New York Times which called the acquittals this week “a high-profile defeat” for Willis.
“We always respect the verdict of a jury,” Jeff DiSantis, a spokesman for Willis, said.
The jury reportedly deliberated for about 16 hours over four days. Judge Paige Whitaker delivered the verdicts as Kendrick hugged his attorney, Doug Weinstein and Stilwell did the same with his lawyer, Max Schardt.
Meanwhile, a Fulton County Superior Court judge is set to hear arguments Tuesday as the State Senate Special Committee on Investigations in Georgia has subpoenaed Willis on alleged misconduct.
The failure of Willis in the YSL case caught the attention of social media.
Fani loses again…
RICO against President Trump needs to be drop ASAP!— pat the story teller ✝️ JESUS IS LORD (@pasbless) December 3, 2024
If Fani Willis and her incompetent DA’s couldn’t convict YSL, what in her right mind would make her think she could convict Donald Trump? I expect for his charges to be dropped and I hope he exposes her office! #ysltrial pic.twitter.com/9tWLW6a1Z7
— FREEYSL (@FreeYSL_Slatt) December 3, 2024
After watching this trial for over a year you have no idea how corrupt Fulton County DA’S office is! It was unreal.@FANI
— Kim Roberts (@KimRobe56727261) December 3, 2024
And the longest running trial in Fulton Co is over!! As her career should be!!
— Lalalalalala (@LDsGarage) December 3, 2024
Fani Willis & the state wasted everyone’s time & tax payer money to try to make a name for themselves any means necessary off the YSL trial https://t.co/ALwvJTr0pT
— #Legendary (@MzNikiLz) December 3, 2024
I really can’t believe people re-elected Fani Willis with this trial going on for so long.
— Karmen K | Designer + Marketer (@iamkarmenk) December 3, 2024
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