A Georgia jury began deliberations in the longest-running trial in the state on Tuesday.
Deamonte Kendrick, also known as Yak Gotti, and Shannon Stillwell, also known as SB, were charged with multiple counts related to racketeering conspiracy and participation in criminal street gang activity, along with murder and drug and gun violations. They have both pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecutors claim Kendrick and Stillwell were part of a gang called Young Slime Life, or YSL. In 2022, they were indicted alongside rapper Young Thug (real name Jeffery Williams) and 25 others. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis indicted the individuals under Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
Multiple indicted individuals accepted plea deals before the trial began.
The trial started with jury selection in January 2023 and took over 10 months to complete. Proceedings were marked by scandals and delays, including arrests in the courtroom, allegations of secret meetings and judges' removal from the case.
Closing arguments in the trial concluded on Monday.
"We are targeting gang members who decided to wreak havoc on communities in Fulton County," prosecutor Simone Hylton said in her closing statement.
Stillwell's defense attorney, Max Schardt, said prosecutors failed to prove their case.
"The state has spent the past year with a hammer in their hand banging on a square peg that they call evidence," Schardt said.
"That square peg does not fit in that round hole," he added.
Kendrick's defense attorney, Doug Weinstein, said the evidence proves his client is innocent.
"Looking at the evidence presented to you and any review of that evidence would have you come back with findings of not guilty," Weinstein said.
Kendrick and Stillwell were initially on trial with Williams, Rodalius Ryan, Marquavius Huey and Quamarvious Nichols. Williams, Ryan, Huey and Nichols accepted plea deals last month.
Williams pleaded guilty on October 31 to most of the counts he was charged with but pleaded no contest to conspiracy to violate the RICO Act and participation in criminal street gang activity.
He was sentenced to five years in prison, commuted to time served and 15 years on probation, followed by 20 years in prison. The backloaded prison sentence will be commuted if Williams complies with the terms of his probation.
Williams was released from prison later that night.
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