YSL Rapper Freed From Jail Months After Not Guilty Verdict

ATLANTA, GA — Rapper Deamonte "Yak Gotti" Kendrick was freed from jail four months after his acquittal of murder charges in the infamous YSL gang and racketeering case in Fulton County.

Kendrick, who was found not guilty in a trial that included rapper Jeffery "Young Thug" Williams, on Wednesday pled guilty to aggravated battery in connection with a jail assault last June, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

Fulton County prosecutors alleged Kendrick, Williams and 25 others were part of a criminal street gang known as Young Slime Life. Kendrick was one of multiple defendants facing murder charges before being acquitted during the jury trial.

However, on Wednesday, Kendrick pled guilty to joining others in attacking another inmate in a cell with an electrical cord, the news outlet reported. Assault and contraband charges pending against Kendrick were dropped, Fox 5 reported.

Jail records showed Kendrick had been housed at the Fulton County Jail's Union City Annex since May 2022. He was released Wednesday.

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As part of his 12-year sentence, Kendrick must successfully complete five years of probation before it can be suspended, he cannot have a gun and he cannot promote gangs. He was given 9 months time served, Fox 5 reported.

"The Yak Man is getting back out on the street," Kendrick's attorney Bruce Harvey said in the Fox 5 report. "He’s looking forward to being with his family and friends again and getting back in the studio. His album is coming out, and we’re happy to see this long ordeal is over."

A Fulton County jury unanimously found Kendrick and co-defendant Shannon "SB" Stillwell not guilty of murder and other charges on Dec. 3, 2024 after deliberating for four days.

Kendrick was found not guilty of all charges against him, while Stillwell was found guilty of a singular charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Whitaker sentenced Stillwell to 10 years with two to serve and credit for time served. The remainder of the sentence will be served on probation.

After the verdict was read, both defendants took a moment and hugged their attorneys. Kendrick mouthed words of thanks to the jury.

Despite the not guilty verdict, both defendants remained jailed on unrelated charges. Two weeks after the verdict, Stillwell entered a negotiated plea and was released on probation.

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Both Kendrick and Stillwell were stabbed while incarcerated at the Fulton County Jail.

Kendrick was stabbed during a dispute with another inmate the day before the jury verdict, and Stillwell was stabbed multiple times during a fight about a year earlier at the Rice Street jail.

Fulton County prosecutors recently attempted to revoke Williams' probation due to a social media post.

Williams pled guilty to some charges against him in the gang case on Halloween 2024, ultimately receiving 15 years probation and a backloaded 20 years to be served in prison if he violates probation terms.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Whitaker denied the revocation.