The YSL trial has finally wrapped up, marking the end of Georgia’s longest trial ever.
Two months after Young Thug left jail, Deamonte “Yak Gotti” Kendrick and Shannon Stillwell were found not guilty of murder, racketeering, and gang charges, as reported by The New York Times. While Stillwell was convicted for having a gun and got a 10-year sentence, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker decided to change eight years to probation and counted the last two as already served. Both defendants faced attacks while waiting in jail—Stillwell in December 2023 and Yak Gotti just this past Sunday. Unlike others who had their cases dismissed or made deals to get out, Stillwell and Yak Gotti went with “not guilty” all the way through court.
This outcome wasn’t great for Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis. People criticized her because she tried to show YSL as a dangerous gang led by Young Thug. Using song lyrics as proof started arguments again about whether that’s fair or not. The judge even scolded the prosecution for mistakes they made before everything ended. Jeff DiSantis, speaking for Willis, mentioned that they “always respect the verdict of a jury,” according to The Associated Press.
Sometimes we wonder if using song lyrics in trials is really okay or just unfair.
