Verdicts Reached In YSL Trial For Last 2 Fulton Co. Defendants

ATLANTA, GA — After a year of trial, a Fulton County jury has reached two verdicts in the YSL gang and racketeering case that once involved rapper Jeffery "Young Thug" Williams.

A look of relief graced the faces of defendants Shannon "SB" Stillwell and Deamonte "Yak Gotti" Kendrick as Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Whitaker on Tuesday said the jury unanimously found them both not guilty of murder.

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.

The jury deliberated for four days, skipping Thursday and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving. Jurors repeatedly asked to review video and audio evidence, including two songs.

The verdict came after Kendrick was stabbed by another inmate Sunday in the Fulton County Jail's South Annex in Union City. Stillwell was stabbed in the Fulton County Jail in December 2023.

Kendrick has been incarcerated since May 9, 2022, while Stillwell has been jailed since March 17, 2022, according to jail records.

Shortly after the verdict was given, defense attorney Ashleigh Merchant took to X to criticize the case. Merchant represents one of the defendants in the massive gang case.

"170 day trial…. Not guilty and then 2 years probation! If you can’t prove your case after 170 days maybe you never should have brought this overcharged made up case?? The state should be ashamed and give everyone back the stuff they stole from them through seizure! Biggest flop of a RICO case in US history! Amazing work and congratulations to some of the best lawyers I know," Merchant tweeted.

Courtney Kramer, Willis' opponent in this year's race for district attorney, called the verdict an "early Christmas present."

"An early Christmas present of a Not-Guilty verdict is bittersweet. However, what a waste of taxpayer dollars and what a waste of time for all of the jurors and defendants. So embarrassing for our county and a huge blow to the @FultonCountyDA’s office," Kramer tweeted.

The YSL trial is Georgia's longest-running trial in history, per media reports.

The trial began with six defendants, including Williams, in November 2023 but dwindled to Stillwell and Kendrick after Williams and three other co-defendants pleaded guilty to various charges.

Williams, on Halloween, accepted a non-negotiated plea deal and was sentenced to 40 years. He was released on probation with several stipulations.

Co-defendants Rodalius "Lil' Rod' Ryan, 20, and Marquavius "Qua" Huey, 28, as well as Quamarvious "Qua" Nichols, pled guilty to various charges.

Both Stillwell and Kendrick maintained their innocence throughout the yearlong trial, pleading not guilty to multiple charges, including murder. They both rejected the state's plea offerings.

They were both accused in the January 2015 shooting death of Donovan Thomas, a suspected rival gang member. Stillwell was charged in the March 2022 killing of Shymel Drinks in a suspected retaliatory shooting.

Rap lyrics, social media posts, wiretaps and jail calls were admitted as evidence against the defendants.

Twenty-eight people were indicted in the YSL gang case. Some of the defendants named in the indictment took plea deals beforehand and testified against Williams and his trial co-defendants. Others are still waiting to learn their fate.

Whitaker on Tuesday set a Dec. 17 plea hearing for the remaining defendants. If any of the final defendants decide to go to trial, Whitaker said the trial could begin in February 2025.

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