ATLANTA — Jury deliberations are set to start Tuesday in what has become Georgia's longest-running criminal trial.
The YSL RICO case, centered on alleged criminal activities tied to the group "Young Slime Life," comes to a pivotal moment nearly a year after opening statements began on Nov. 27, 2023.
Closing arguments wrapped up yesterday, marking the end of a trial that drew widespread attention for its long-running inclusion of rapper Young Thug, who ultimately pleaded guilty to some charges in a legal maneuver to try and obtain a more favorable sentence from the judge than prosecutors were offering in a deal. The move succeeded, and he left prison nearly a month ago.
Prosecutors since then have argued that the two remaining defendants, identified as Deamonte Kendrick (also known as Yak Gotti) and Shannon Stillwell, engaged in violent crimes as part of a street gang. Charges include multiple criminal counts, such as murder and violations under Georgia’s RICO Act.
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Prosecutor Christian Adkins highlighted the severity of the alleged actions during closing arguments, stating, “This is real life, and this is the bragging and the boasting above the law, proving they’re doing it for the street gang.”
The defense, however, has painted a different picture, asserting that Young Slime Life is a legitimate music label and not a criminal organization. They argued that the state failed to link the defendants to specific criminal acts.
On Tuesday, the judge is expected to provide instructions to the jury before deliberations commence. The outcome will determine the defendants' future and could have broader implications for how RICO statutes are applied to groups tied to the entertainment industry.
How the YSL trial could unfold this week
While this outline was discussed, the trial's timeline could unfold differently.
Monday, Nov. 25
Closing arguments began and ended.
Tuesday, Nov. 26
Closing arguments are set to be finished (if extra time is needed). The judge will give the jury instructions and charges, and deliberations could begin.
Wednesday, Nov. 27
Jury deliberations could take place. This also marks one year since the opening statements.
Thursday, Nov. 28
There's no court due to Thanksgiving.
Friday, Nov. 29
There's no court due to this being the day after Thanksgiving.