Current:Home > FinanceYoung Thug racketeering and gang trial resumes with new judge presiding-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Young Thug racketeering and gang trial resumes with new judge presiding
View Date:2024-12-23 22:54:38
ATLANTA (AP) — Jurors in the long-running racketeering and gang prosecution against rapper Young Thug and others returned to an Atlanta courtroom Monday after an eight-week pause to find a new judge on the bench.
The jury was already on a break in early July when the trial was put on hold to allow a judge to determine whether the judge overseeing the case should be removed. Two weeks later, Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville was removed from the case after two defendants sought his recusal, citing a meeting the judge held with prosecutors and a state witness.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker was appointed to take over the case. After she denied motions for a mistrial, the trial resumed Monday with Kenneth Copeland returning to the witness stand, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Young Thug, a Grammy winner whose given name is Jeffery Williams, was charged two years ago in a sprawling indictment accusing him and more than two dozen others of conspiring to violate Georgia’s anti-racketeering law. He also is charged with gang, drug and gun crimes.
He is standing trial with five other people indicted with him.
Brian Steel, a lawyer for Young Thug, has said his client is innocent and seeks to clear his name through a fair trial.
Lawyers for Young Thug and co-defendant Deamonte Kendrick had filed motions seeking Glanville’s recusal. They said the judge held a meeting with prosecutors and prosecution witness Copeland at which defendants and defense attorneys were not present. The defense attorneys argued the meeting was “improper” and that the judge and prosecutors had tried to pressure the witness to testify.
Glanville’s colleague, Judge Rachel Krause, did not fault Glanville for holding the meeting but said he should be removed to preserve the public’s confidence in the judicial system.
Copeland, who was granted immunity by prosecutors, agreed to return to the stand Monday after Whitaker told him he could testify or sit in jail until the trial ends, the Journal-Constitution reported. Copeland repeatedly said he didn’t remember events from years ago, admitted lying to police and said he mentioned Young Thug’s name to police to get himself out of trouble.
veryGood! (78)
Related
- What happens to Donald Trump’s criminal conviction? Here are a few ways it could go
- Why Lady Gaga Asked Joker Crew to Call Her This Fake Name on Set
- How Kim and Kourtney Kardashian Ended Their Feud—for Now
- You'll Bend and Snap for Reese Witherspoon and Daughter Ava Phillippe's Latest Twinning Moment
- Queen Bey and Yale: The Ivy League university is set to offer a course on Beyoncé and her legacy
- Joey King Shares Glimpse Inside Her Bachelorette Party—Featuring NSFW Dessert
- Why Barbie Makeup Artist Ivana Primorac Didn't Want Margot Robbie to Look Plastic
- How Dance Moms Trauma Helped Inspire Kalani Hilliker's Mental Health Journey
- It's Red Cup Day at Starbucks: Here's how to get your holiday cup and cash in on deals
- These $24 Pants Have the Sophistication of Trousers and Comfort of Sweatpants
Ranking
- 1 million migrants in the US rely on temporary protections that Trump could target
- Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $250 Crossbody Bag for Just $59
- Margot Robbie Faked Her Own Death as a Kid to Get Revenge on Her Babysitter
- Amy Schumer Reacts to Barbie Movie After Dropping Out of Earlier Version
- Denzel Washington Will Star in Black Panther 3 Before Retirement
- Doja Cat Argues With Fans After Dissing Their Kittenz Fandom Name
- Influencer Christine Tran Ferguson Sends Message to Supporters After Death of 15-Month-Old Son
- Kylie Jenner Shares BTS Photo From Day of Her Reunion With Jordyn Woods
Recommendation
-
Only 8 monkeys remain free after more than a week outside a South Carolina compound
-
Music Legend Tony Bennett Dead at 96
-
Toast the End of Harry Styles' Tour With Facts That Taste Like Strawberries on a Summer Evenin'
-
Carlee Russell Admits Kidnapping Was a Hoax
-
Kid Rock tells fellow Trump supporters 'most of our left-leaning friends are good people'
-
Get Cozy With 60% Off Barefoot Dreams Deals: Cardigans, Blankets, Pajamas, Loungewear, and More
-
Coast Guard rescues 2 from capsized boat off Georgia coast
-
Don't Miss Black Friday-Level Roku Deals on Smart TVs and Streaming Sticks