ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – For the first time since she began presiding over the trial of superstar rapper Young’s Thug, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker said Tuesday that she found some evidence of an organized crime-like conspiracy in the massive trial.

Whitaker’s comments mark the first time she has publicly commented on the merits of Fulton County prosecutors’ attempts to link the global music superstar to a criminal street gang responsible for numerous crimes.

In accepting a plea deal from one of Young ThugHis co-defendants, Quamarvious Nichols, Whitaker said, “We have heard the evidence up to the point of trial right now that there is evidence of at least one overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy and that there is evidence that would fall within the required statute of limitations to establish this RICO conspiracy.”

Nichols (aka “Qua”) accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to attempt to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Instead, Fulton County prosecutors dropped the remaining charges of murder, participation in a criminal street gang, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in commission of a felony.

Nichols was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with seven to be served on probation. Storney Doug Weinstein, who is representing Deamonte Kendrick (aka Yak Gotti) in the lawsuit, called the plea deal “a victory for the state.”

“We are a smaller team on the YSL case without the contributions of (Nichols’ attorneys) Bruce Harvey, Nicole Westmoreland and Lamar Gardner,” Weinstein posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Their daily skills, input, advice and friendship will be missed. In that sense, and in that sense alone, Mr. Nichols’ plea yesterday was a victory for the state. All in all, Nichols’ legal team was able to negotiate a fantastic settlement for him that he clearly believed was in his best interest and everyone can walk away with their heads held high.”

Whitaker’s first order of business on Tuesday was to expel two bloggers — one of whom was Dennis Byron by the Hip-Hop Enquirer — from the recording of any other courtroom proceedings. Whitaker said the two recorded proceedings while she was not on the bench; she then banished the duo to the media room.

Before court resumed on Tuesday, lawyers for two other co-defendants said their clients would continue to fight for their innocence.

“Mr. Stillwell has been wrongfully accused of these crimes in this indictment, dating back to 2015, for nearly a decade,” said attorney Max Schardt, who represents Shannon Stillwell. “We have never budged. Mr. Stillwell he is innocent and we are fully prepared to continue to fight this case in court once the trial resumes.

“We appreciate and continue to ask for the support of so many people who have followed this case over the past two years,” Schardt said.

“Our client, Deamonte Kendrick, has been wrongfully accused and imprisoned since May 2022,” Weinstein posted on X. “We continue to fight for his freedom so he can go home to his family and support system that loves him all very much. . He appreciates all the love and support from the public whose words and deeds have helped sustain him through these long months.”

Whitaker halted the trial last week after defense attorneys objected to the testimony of Wunnie Lee (a.k.a. Slimelife Shawty), who had earlier reached a plea deal in exchange for his testimony. A social media post containing the hashtag “freequa,” a reference to a previous prison sentence for one of YSL’s co-defendants now on trial along with Young Thug’s real name Jeffery Williams, was shown in court.

Defense attorneys argued that prosecutors should have redacted that image and that the jury now learned about the co-defendant’s prior incarceration.

Opening statements were held in Young Thug’s trial on November 27, 2023. The trial jury selection took longer than any other in the history of Georgia, and the actual testimony of the witnesses itself will probably exceed the records of the state. Both records were set by the Atlanta Public Schools teacher scandal and lawsuit in 2014-2015.

Young Thug scored his 33rd birthday on August 16, 2024after he was arrested on May 9, 2022, along with 27 other suspected gang members in Buckhead, as part of a 56-count indictment.

The trial itself began on November 27, 2023. Defense lawyers repeatedly raised concerns about of the process length, and Fulton County prosecutors still have more than 100 witnesses to call.

Prosecutors are trying to show that YSL is a criminal street gang responsible for numerous crimes. Defense lawyers say YSL is not a gang, but simply the name of a record label.

Williams is also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of codeine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun.

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