The racketeering case against rapper Young Thug has seen another judge recused, further extending the longest criminal trial in Georgia’s history.
On Monday, Judge Ural Glanville was removed from the case after lawyers for Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffrey Williams, filed a complaint about alleged “improper meetings” between Glanville, two prosecutors, and Kenneth Copeland, a witness in the case. Glanville had overseen the case for 18 months.
Judge Rachel Krause, who recused Glanville, stated that while she didn’t believe the meeting or discussed matters were inherently improper, she made the decision to preserve public confidence in the judicial system. Fulton County Judge Shukura Ingram was initially assigned to replace Glanville but disqualified herself on Wednesday due to an “appearance of impropriety,” according to court documents. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker will now oversee the trial.
Young Thug is accused of leading a street gang in the greater Atlanta area. He was arrested in May 2022 and is currently in Fulton County Jail. More than 25 others were also charged in the case, including popular rapper Gunna, although many have sought plea deals or are being tried separately.
“You know, this isn’t about just me or YSL,” said Young Thug in a 2022 interview from jail. “I always use my music as a form of artistic expression, and I see now that Black artists and rappers don’t have that freedom. Everybody please sign the Protect Black Art petition and keep praying for us.”
The case has faced delays due to various factors, including the stabbing of Shannon Stillwell, another defendant, in jail. However, the high number of defendants has also posed challenges for the prosecution.
Clips from the trial have been shared on social media, generating online reactions and viral moments. Here’s what to know about the trial.
What charges is Young Thug facing?
Young Thug is facing charges for violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act for his alleged involvement in criminal gang activity. The rapper is also facing charges related to firearm possession, drug possession with intent to distribute, and participation in criminal street gang activity.
Prosecutors claim the rapper is the leader of Young Slime Life or YSL, a street gang accused of committing crimes including murder, robbery, and drug dealing. YSL is also the acronym for his record label, Young Stoner Life Records. The prosecution alleges the gang is affiliated with the Bloods, a street gang that originated in the 1970s but has expanded across the U.S. Judge Glanville previously ruled that the rapper’s lyrics could be used as evidence in court.
Young Thug has pleaded not guilty to all charges, although other defendants in the case have taken different stances. Rapper Gunna, for example, entered a guilty plea while maintaining his innocence. Gunna was released from jail in December 2022 after seven months and will have to perform 500 hours of community service.
Why was a new judge assigned?
Defense attorneys filed a complaint to remove Judge Glanville from the case due to a meeting between Glanville, Copeland, Copeland’s attorneys, and the prosecution. Representatives for Young Thug were not present at the meeting or aware of it, they claim.
Copeland, also known as Lil Woody, was considered a key witness who could provide information about Young Thug’s alleged criminal activity. However, Copeland has gained online attention for his reluctance to answer questions and actively participate in the trial.
On June 6, the state announced they would call Copeland to testify the following day. Because the witness refused and said he would invoke his fifth amendment right, the state presented Judge Glanville a “motion to compel the testimony of Kenneth Copeland, extending immunity” for his testimony and requesting the court to hold Copeland in contempt if he still refused to testify. The court granted the motion.
However, on June 7, Copeland stated he would still be pleading the fifth. Copeland was subsequently placed in custody for not testifying, according to the state’s response to the recusal. Judge Glanville then announced to the defendants and their attorneys that he would bring Copeland back to court on June 10 to see if he would testify. On the morning of the 10th, “the State requested from the Court an in-chambers meeting with counsel for Kenneth Copeland, Kenneth Copeland, the Court, and an attorney for the State, to discuss the contempt proceedings initiated against Mr. Copeland upon the State’s motion,” .
Following the meeting, Brian Steel, Young Thug’s attorney, requested a mistrial due to Judge Glanville’s meeting. Steel and another attorney filed for Glanville’s recusal from the case, which Judge Krause granted.
Judge Shukura Ingram was initially appointed to preside over the case but personally recused herself on Wednesday because a former deputy of hers conspired with another defendant in the case, Christian Eppinger, to commit a felony. As this deputy could potentially be called as a witness in the case, Judge Ingram stated that overseeing this case “may undermine the public’s confidence in the impartiality of the proceedings.”
Where does the trial stand now?
The trial has been undeniably lengthy, with opening statements for the case beginning in November 2023, after a 10-month jury selection process.