ATLANTA — A former codefendant of Atlanta rapper Young Thug who previously accepted a plea deal spent multiple hours on the witness stand Wednesday and Thursday, marking the first time a major witness connected to the rapper took the stand in the trial.
Trontavious Stephens, also known as Tick and Slug, identified Young Thug as one of the founding members of Young Slime Life.
However, Stephens made it difficult at times for the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office in their attempt to paint Young Slime Life as a criminal organization. Stephens had difficulty remembering certain conversations and had tense exchanges with prosecutors during his testimony.
Thursday marked the one-year anniversary of the start of jury selection in the racketeering case. Opening statements were given in November, and the trial is expected to last anywhere from several months to a year.
These are some of the highlights of Stephens’ testimony:
YSL’s origin and its founding members
During Wednesday’s testimony, Stephens identified three people as founding members of Young Slime Life: himself, Walter Murphy, and Jeffery Williams — better known as rapper Young Thug.
Stephens testified the organization was a positive evolution from ROC (Raised on Cleveland) Crew, a gang with ties to Atlanta’s Cleveland Avenue. Stephens told prosecutors he was also a member of the Sex, Money, Murder gang and flashed a gang sign for the group that meant “Blood.”
Sex Money Murder is affiliated with the Bloods street gang, and Stephens testified that ROC Crew was also affiliated with the Bloods. The state alleges that YSL is also affiliated with the Bloods.
However, Stephens maintained that YSL was a positive evolution from ROC Crew. YSL wanted to get away from the criminal elements associated with ROC. Stephens testified Thursday that YSL is a record label.
"YSL is a music label. Music happened first. That was the approach," he said. "Music."
Stephens was difficult when pressed by prosecutors further about members of the ROC Crew and other gang ties.
When asked by Chief Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love to name members of ROC Crew Wednesday, Stephens said none of the defendants in the courtroom were members because they had to be raised on Cleveland Avenue.
Stephens testified that he had a criminal record, but he said he did not commit crimes with other members of ROC Crew. When asked if he discussed illegal activities with other members of ROC Crew, Stephens said they discussed their dice games.
Stephens was also difficult when asked about some of his tattoos showing alleged gang affiliation.
Asked about a “BFL” tattoo with red coloring, Stephens said the tattoo meant “Bank First and Last,” explaining the acronym stood for a money bag depicted in the tattoo.
It did not stand for "Blood for Life," Stephens told ADA Love. When asked about the red, Stephens said he wanted to add color to the tattoo.
“Red is the only color that my body will take because of my dark skin,” he testified.
YSL and the shooting of Lil Wayne’s tour bus
A portion of the Wednesday and Thursday hearings focused on YSL’s alleged involvement in the 2015 shooting of Lil Wayne’s tour bus in Cobb County.
Prosecutors alleged that the man who pleaded guilty in the shooting, Jimmy Winfrey, had ties to YSL.
Stephens testified Wednesday that he and other YSL members were at an Atlanta nightclub for Lil Wayne’s performance. Stephens called Wayne his “idol,” and testified that members of the group looked up to him. Stephens said Young Thug was in New Orleans the night of the shooting.
On Thursday, Stephens said he didn't recall conversations that took place on the way to the nightclub.
“I don’t recall too much talking,” he said. “I ain’t gonna lie. I was smoking weed and drinking liquor. It was my birthday. I was celebrating.”
Stephens then said the drugs and alcohol didn't impair his memory. It was one of several moments where Stephens had trouble with his memory. He also had a few tense exchanges with Love during his two days of testimony.
Stephens accepted a plea deal in December 2022, agreeing to serve eight years of probation in exchange for lesser charges. He will return to the stand Monday for additional testimony.