'I Don't Recall': Key Witness Testifies In Young Thug's GA Gang Case

ATLANTA, GA — After the gang trial against famed rapper Young Thug and five co-defendants was reportedly paused for eight weeks, the trial resumed Monday in Fulton County with star witness Kenneth "Woody" Copeland taking the stand.

Last week, Whitaker denied the latest bond motion for Young Thug, 32, whose real name is Jeffery Williams. Of "Lifestyle" and "Thief in the Night" fame, Williams is accused of leading Young Slime Life, a suspected criminal street gang in Atlanta.

Defense attorneys for Williams have claimed YSL is Williams' record label and stands for Young Stoner Life. While presiding, Glanville reportedly ruled some of Williams' rap lyrics admissible.

The 19-month gang trial previously took a turn in June when its former presiding judge, Chief Judge Ural Glanville, was removed from the case after being accused of participating in an ex parte meeting with Copeland and prosecutors.

During the jury break, Copeland was asked last week if he would continue to testify or otherwise by the trial's new judge, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker.

After being on notice that he could go to jail if he did not abide by a subpoena to testify, Copeland reluctantly agreed and took the stand Monday.

During his testimony, most of Copeland's responses to prosecutors were, "I don't recall." He explained to prosecutors that he does not remember what he told detectives in past interviews as he claimed he lied to them several times.

Copeland told prosecutors that he would not "lie on these boys" during testimony, referring to the defendants. He was seemingly visibly frustrated with having to testify a second time.

"I don't recall what I told no investigators," Copeland said.

RELATED: Rapper Young Thug's Trial Halted Due To Review Of GA Judge: Reports

Williams was one of 28 people arrested in the massive gang and racketeering trial, though some defendants have since accepted plea deals.

Williams has been incarcerated since his May 2022 arrest. According to Fulton County Jail records, Williams is facing multiple charges, including violation of Georgia' Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

Another notable defendant was fellow rapper, Sergio "Gunna" Kitchens, who has since taken an Alford plea deal.