Young Thug Denied Bond in YSL RICO Case Following Day-Long Hearing
During a hearing on Thursday, Young Thug was denied bond. He is facing racketeering and gang-related charges.
Young Thug was denied bond in a hearing that was live-streamed on Thursday, June 2.
During the hearing, Judge Ural D. Glanville stated the expected trial date will be January 9, 2023.
Young Thug – whose real name is Jefferey Williams is currently facing racketeering and gang-related charges as previously reported. The lengthy hearing (over seven hours) consisted of the judge declaring concerns about witnesses being threatened or harmed, these reasonings led to the denial of Williams’ bond.
On Thursday, prosecutors argued the rapper’s lawyer Brian Steel should have been removed from the case, they alleged a conflict of interest, per Joe Coscarelli of The New York Times. 11Alive reports prosecutors also noted that Thug is dangerous and the ring leader of the Young Slime Life Gang. Following banter in the hearing, a decision was made and Steel is set to continue representing Young Thug.
Additionally, Young Thug’s team was pushing for home confinement at one of his four homes. Individuals who spoke on behalf of the rapper on Thursday include Machine Gun Kelly and Kevin Liles, co-founder of 300 Entertainment and music executive.
“I’m willing to back him personally and professionally,” Liles said during the hearing, according to Coscarelli.
Rap lyrics were also utilized during the hearing by prosecutors in an attempt to declare him unfit for release on bond. “Just How It Is” a track from So Much Fun was quoted word for word in court. The lyrics below were shared:
“Ask the cops, ask the detectives, they know all the business/Ask the cops and the detectives, all the jurisdictions/Ask the kids at school who ambition all the missions/Gave the lawyer close to two mil’, he handle all the killings.”
Prosecutors stated that Thug’s lyrics were not just lyrics and are instead based on real-life situations.
Williams was charged with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act in a 56-count indictment. Other rappers who make up Young Stoner Life Records including Gunna, Yak Gotti, YSL Duke, and more were also charged in the indictment.
Young Thug was arrested on May 9. Gunna was also denied bond in late May. His trial will take place on January 9, 2023. He is similarly accused of being a leader in YSL.
On Thursday, Yak Gotti was denied bond, per Complex.
Watch the entire hearing below. For additional updates on the case stay tuned.