The longest-running criminal trial in Georgia concluded with not guilty verdicts for two remaining co-defendants, Deamonte Kendrick and Shannon Stillwell, in a RICO case that involved rap superstar Young Thug. The charges included murder, conspiracy to violate RICO, and felony firearm charges. The trial featured 28 co-defendants but faced delays and plea deals with some defendants opting for separate trials. The case involved allegations of a criminal street gang, Young Slime Life, led by Young Thug. The state called over 175 witnesses, while the defense did not call any. During closing arguments, prosecutors claimed the defendants were part of a criminal street gang using weapons on rivals while defense lawyers argued against the prosecution’s narrative. The trial faced challenges including a mistrial motion due to a prosecutorial mistake and the removal of the original judge for holding a private meeting without the defense present. Ultimately, plea deals were reached with four co-defendants, including Young Thug, who was released with a commuted sentence and probation. Critics accused the state of targeting Black hip-hop artists and using lyrics from Young Thug’s songs as evidence. Young Thug, an award-winning artist, has collaborated with various artists and had several No. 1 albums on the Billboard chart. The trial has received widespread attention and scrutiny for its duration and complexities.
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