ATLANTA — The trial involving rapper Young Thug and the alleged YSL street gang continues Wednesday with cross-examination of a witness who has become a key figure in proceedings, Kenneth "Lil Woody" Copeland.
Copeland testified during defense attorney Brian Steel's cross-examination that he believes the Fulton County prosecutors leaked a video of his 2015 police interrogation video to social media outlets -- a move that damaged his reputation and placed his family in danger. He told Steel he believed that the state released the video in an effort to force him to testify.
"Who did you believe put out the videos on the internet of your interrogation or the video?" Steel asked.
Copeland replied, "The state."
"And what did that have an effect on you or your family when you believe the state of Georgia put out your interrogation?" Steel inquired.
"Well, they believe I'd be, if everybody say I'm a snitch, you know, this man third, they believe that I'd be like, okay, and just do what they want me to do," Copeland stated.
The revelation was a bombshell for the state's case as Fulton County DA Fani Willis previously had blamed defense attorneys for leaking the video.
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Young Thug's defense attorney, Brian Steel, questioned Copeland throughout the entire day of proceedings on Tuesday. On Monday, Lil Woody returned to the stand after a week-long break.
Steel replayed jail calls, police interviews, and even Copeland's prior testimony in the ongoing trial.
After nearly a full day of questioning, the jury was sent home an hour early because a juror requested a short day after a hospital visit.
Attorneys reviewed scheduling with Judge Paige Whitaker as cross-examination continues, likely into next week.
Steel stated he plans to wrap up questioning Lil Woody on Wednesday, while other defense attorneys plan at least another full day of cross-examination for the witness. Jurors are excused Thursday, Friday, and Monday, so Copeland could likely be on the stand as late as Tuesday of next week.
YSL trial live stream | Wednesday, August 28
On Monday, the state wrapped up questioning Copeland, who returned to the stand after a week-long break.
Proceedings began with prosecutors presenting the remainder of Copeland's past interviews with police and jail calls. But as the state asked more questions, Lil Woody's patience only grew thinner.
He continued to answer questions reluctantly, testifying that he would tell the police anything he thought they wanted to hear.
"I was trying to tell them anything to get them off of me," Lil Woody said.
At some point, Copeland grew frustrated with the state's questioning about several phone conversations he had while in jail. He maintained that he lied when talking to police, including crimes involving Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams.
"I made it all up," he said. "I put everything on Thug. That man ain't have nothing to do with my stupidity. I'm sitting right here telling y'all the truth."
Watch the interaction below | Story continues after video
Copeland's temper continued to flare as the state's questioning drew to a close. He repeatedly expressed how tired he was of being on the stand and repeating how he lied about everything.
Copeland has been on the witness stand since the trial returned from a saga that saw the previous judge, Ural Glanville, removed from the case.
"No disrespect to you, but Ms. Hylton, you are running my nerves through the roof,” Copeland said. “I keep telling you, leave me alone.”
Although Woody continued pushing back against the prosecution's questions, the state provided evidence proving otherwise, including video of the night of the murder of Donovan "Nut" Thomas.
That's when Copeland grew increasingly angry, prompting him to go on a furious rant about feeling pressured to testify from both the defense and prosecution.
"Y'all got me up here. I don't know what's going on," Copeland said. "At this point, I feel like I'm on trial."
Following the heated interaction, Judge Paige Whitaker allowed Woody to take a "breather," and the prosecution ended their questioning.
Watch the moment below | Story continues after video
Cross-examination started in the latter part of the day, with Brian Steel beginning questioning. After Steel asked Copeland about his immunity deal, he asked to speak with his lawyer, which prompted Judge Whitaker to recess briefly.
Upon the court's return, Whitaker decided to adjourn for the day to allow for a full day of cross-examination on Tuesday. Proceedings will continue at 9 a.m.
More on recent case developments
Judge Glanville was removed after attorneys for Young Thug had argued that he should no longer oversee the case because of a June 10 proceeding known as an ex parte meeting that became the subject of deep contention in the trial.
In her order, Judge Rachel Krause -- who was assigned the recusal matter -- stated, "This Court has no doubt that Judge Glanville can and would continue presiding fairly over this matter if the recusal motions were denied, but the 'necessity of preserving the public's confidence in the judicial system' weighs in favor of excusing Judge Glanville from further handling of this case."
The controversial private meeting led to Young Thug's attorney Brian Steel being held in contempt and sentenced to a 20-day jail sentence, which was reversed after the state Supreme Court granted him bond.
Steel had been held in contempt for refusing to reveal his source for how he heard about the ex parte meeting.
Judge Glanville later released the transcript of the meeting with the witness, Kenneth Copeland, a.k.a. "Lil Woody."
Copeland was arrested on June 7 and held in contempt after refusing to testify on the stand as part of an immunity agreement. A few days later, in the judge's chambers, prosecutors shared an email sent to them by Copeland's attorney accusing them of making him a target by forcing him to testify. They also said his attorney was threatening to pull out of the case.
Prosecutors later told Copeland that if he still refused to take the stand, he could be in jail until every defendant had their cases decided. He did eventually testify.
Copeland had an attorney present for the meeting, but she was a stand-in for his usual lawyer, who was out of town. Steel insinuated that the court was committing "coercion" as no representation for his client was invited to the meeting.
The extraordinary turn in the case captivated legal observers.
