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FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – The futures of Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, and his co-defendants could be decided Monday in a Fulton County courtroom.

Young Thug’s YSL RICO trial — now the longest criminal trial in Georgia history — came to an abrupt halt last Wednesday after a witness, Wunnie Lee (aka Slimelife Shawty), read a social media post with the hashtag the #freequa, referencing a previous prison sentence for one of Williams’ co-defendants.

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Defense attorneys immediately sought a mistrial, arguing that jurors should not be exposed to the defendants’ criminal records or incarcerations.

“We’re not going to be able to turn this bell off,” defense attorney Nicole Westmoreland said. “The state presenting the witness, I think, the unredacted version (of the evidence), did not prepare him not to comment, and he did.

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A similar issue arose earlier this month when a retired detective testifying for the prosecution referenced a defendant’s past.

Following last week’s disruption, there were rumors that defense attorneys met with the Fulton County District Attorney’s office to discuss potential plea deals to avoid a new trial if a mistrial is declared.

SEE ALSO: Georgia Supreme Court vacates contempt order for Young Thug’s attorney Brian Steel

Judge Paige Reese Whitaker, who took over the case after the original judge was removed, indicated she would not grant a mistrial but would consider one without prejudice, meaning the state could retry the case.

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Williams was arrested in May 2022 along with 27 other alleged gang members. Most accepted plea deals in exchange for testimony and other information, but a handful — including those on trial with Young Thug — have yet to complete the deals or face trial.

Here is a list of those currently being processed:

Jeffery Williams (Young Thug or Slime): Conspiracy to violate RICO, 2 counts of participating in criminal street gang activity, 3 counts of violating the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a machine gun.

Marquavius ​​Huey (Qua): Conspiracy to Violate RICO, 3 counts of Armed Robbery, 4 counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, 4 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Hijacking a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, 4 counts indictment for participation in criminal street gang activity, possession of a weapon by an incarcerated person and possession of a telecommunications device by an incarcerated person.

Deamonte Kendrick (Yak Gotti): Conspiracy to violate RICO, murder (2015 murder of Donovan Thomas), participation in criminal street gang activity, 3 counts of violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a machine gun and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon previously convicted of a crime involving the use or possession of a firearm.

Quamarvious Nichols (Qua): Conspiracy to Violate RICO, Murder (2022 Murder of Shymel Drinks), 2 Counts of Participating in Criminal Street Gang Activity, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon Previously Convicted of a Felony Involving the Use or Possession of a firearms and 2 counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Rodalius Ryan (Lil Rod): Conspiracy to Violate RICO. He is currently serving a life sentence for the 2019 murder of Jamari Holmes.

Shannon Stillwell (Shannon Jackson or SB): Conspiracy to Violate RICO, 2 Counts (2015 Murder of Donovan Thomas Jr. and 2022 Murder of Shymel Drinks), 2 Counts of Participating in Criminal Street Gang Activity, 2 Counts of Possession of a Firearm by a felon previously convicted of a crime involving the use or possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Young Thug and 27 others were indicted in 2022 for violating Georgia’s Racketeer Corrupt and Influenced Organizations (RICO) Act and for committing several violent crimes. After the longest jury selection in history (10 months), the trial for Young Thug and several co-defendants began in November 2023. It is now the longest trial in Georgia history. Prosecutors are trying to prove that YSL (Young Slime Life) is a criminal street gang responsible for numerous crimes, including murder. The defendants claim that YSL stands for Young Stoner Life and is the name of a record label founded by Young Thug. Young Thug faces eight criminal charges. The trial was plagued by various disruptions, including illness, the arrest of a juror and attorney, the stabbing of defendant Shannon Stillwell, the removal of the judge originally assigned to the case, and more.