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Prosecutors rest case in long-running YSL trial

The judge dismissed the jury for the day, telling them to return on Thursday 9 a.m.

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Prosecutors in Georgia’s longest-running criminal trial finally rested its case in the YSL RICO trial.

The high-profile case has been ongoing for years as the state seeks to establish that members of the alleged gang Young Slime Life (YSL) engaged in criminal activities across the Atlanta metro area.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker dismissed the jury for the day, telling them to return on Thursday at 9 a.m. In the meantime, attorneys will discuss other matters.

RELATED: Young Thug's dad says he wanted keep up legal fight, 'make them continue to embarrass themselves'

Atlanta rapper Young Thug, a central figure in the case, recently pleaded guilty to drug and gun charges. A few weeks ago, he was released from jail on a 15-year probation sentence, leaving the remaining defendants to face ongoing prosecution.

Two defendants -- Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick -- remain on trial with their fate resting in the hands of the jury. Kendrick's attorney, Doug Weinstein, noted his client was rejecting a plea offer and "fully intends to take this to the jury and get our not guilty verdicts."

The remaining two defendants declined to testify in the trial. The defense attorneys also let the judge know that they don't plan on presenting evidence.

TIMELINE | Key moments in the Young Thug, YSL RICO trial

The trial took many twists and turns. It took nearly 10 months to seat a jury last year. The original judge, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville, was removed from the trial this summer after a June 10 proceeding, known as an ex parte meeting, that became the subject of deep contention in the trial.

Jury selection took nearly 10 months, and Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville, the original judge, was removed from the case in July after defense attorneys filed a recusal motion based on a secretive meeting he held with prosecutors and a state witness. Judge Glanville later released the transcript of the meeting with the witness, Kenneth Copeland, a.k.a. "Lil Woody."

The case would later fall under Judge Whitaker. Several people previously took plea deals in the case.

Material from the Associated Press contributed to this report. 

11Alive streams the trial online and on 11Alive+, which is available on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. Text "plus" to 404-885-7600 to download 11Alive+ and stream it now.

RELATED: Atlanta rapper Young Thug pleads guilty to some charges in YSL case | Here's how we got here

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