ATLANTA — On Aug. 8, Judge Paige Whitaker ordered the entire prosecution team in the YSL RICO trial to undergo additional training on The Brady doctrine and other professional obligations of a prosecutor as a "remedial measure."
She asked the state to satisfy those requirements on Monday, Aug. 19.
"I'm thinking y'all come into the courtroom, there'll be a deputy, you can sit and watch the video and be done with it," Whitaker said.
The training consists of a video replay of training on this topic previously presented by the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia.
"Brady is essentially a doctrine in law or a case that says if the prosecution has evidence that could be exculpatory or that could prove that someone is innocent or didn't do what they're charged up, then the prosecution has to turn that over," former DeKalb District Attorney Robert James said. "It's a foundational case. There is no one that does criminal law that does not know and understand the Brady doctrine."
James has tried cases as district attorney, solicitor, prosecutor and defense attorney. He's never seen an order like this one.
"It's extremely rare," he said. "I think the judge feels that while this is not technically misconduct, maybe it's not appropriate behavior and so you guys need to go back to the drawing board and learn what Brady is all about."
In this case, the rapper Young Thug — whose real name is Jeffery Williams — and five codefendants are charged with a series of violent and gang-related crimes.
James said following Brady is essential to give them a fair trial.
"In a serious case, you are trying to put them in prison, right? And the defense deserves the benefit of the doubt and the benefit of that doubt is making sure that you give them everything you have, even if what you're giving them could hurt your case," he said. "This isn't a basketball or football season where you're counting wins and losses. Ultimately, you are a minister of justice and your job is to seek justice."
Jurors in the YSL RICO trial are off all week, but are expected to return Monday morning with testimony from witness Lil' Woody.