YSL Pleas, Sentencing Updates As 4 Cases Head To Trial

ATLANTA, GA — One of the two acquitted men accused of murder in the long-running YSL gang trial, formerly against rapper Jeffery "Young Thug" Williams, is being set free from the Fulton County Jail.

At least four of the remaining YSL defendants, who face a slew of serious charges, will go to trial after rejecting the state's plea offers, while another defendant took a guilty plea on Tuesday.

State prosecutors worked to prove their theory that YSL was a criminal street gang under Williams' leadership; however, Williams' defense maintained that YSL was a rap label.

Williams, who was one of the 28 defendants who were arrested in the racketeering and gang case, pled guilty to most charges he faced and received a sentence of 40 years. He was released on 15 years of probation with several special conditions.

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

Related: Rapper Young Thug Pleads Guilty In YSL Gang Case, Sentence Given

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Whitaker on Tuesday said a total of 11 defendants remain in the indictment, including the four headed for trial.

Deamonte Kendrick

While Shannon "SB" Stillwell will be a free man, the fate of Deamonte "Yak Gotti" Kendrick is in lingo after it was discovered moments before his Tuesday bond hearing that a probation warrant had been taken out against him.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney tabled his decision to grant or deny Kendrick's bond motion after learning of the warrant.

Kendrick is facing two open cases, including allegations he had an iPhone and air pods while incarcerated.

In the second case, Kendrick was charged on suspicion of aggravated battery, aggravated assault and riot in connection with an April 2023 incident.

Both cases were pending against Kendrick while he was in the custody of the Fulton County Jail, where defense attorney Kayla Bumpus said he has been since May 9, 2022.

Bumpus requested a $20,000 bond on all counts on Kendrick's behalf. She cited the Department of Justice's findings on the conditions at the Fulton County Jail as a reason to approve the bond motion.

Prosecutors used Kendrick's past three felony convictions as arguments against granting a bond. They claim while in custody, Kendrick and seven other inmates assaulted another inmate.

They also say Kendrick has been involved in 13 reported jail incidents, including 10 allegations of violence and three accusations of contraband possession.

Kendrick was found not guilty of all charges on Dec. 3 in the YSL case.

Shannon Stillwell

On Tuesday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Belinda Edwards allowed Stillwell, also known as Shannon Jackson, to be released after accepting a negotiated plea deal.

Charges stemmed from accusations of drug possession, including while incarcerated, and a car crash during which he was accused of stealing a bystander's car after causing the crash that injured someone else.

Stillwell, who on Dec. 3 was found not guilty of two counts of murder and most other charges, pleaded guilty or took an Alford plea to most current charges against him. Under the Alford plea, a defendant can plead guilty but not admit guilt.

Here is how Stillwell pleaded:

Edwards accepted the negotiated sentence of 12 years probation for the charges. This will run concurrently with the sentence imposed on him after being found guilty of a singular charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in the YSL case.

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.

He was also banned from metro Atlanta, excluding the local airport, and can return to the area for special occasions as approved. He must maintain employment, cannot contact his co-defendants or anyone associated with a criminal street gang and cannot have a firearm.

"The best lesson for everyone here is to stay out of the justice system," Edwards said during sentencing, where she also recommended Stillwell obtain a GED.

Miles Farley

Miles "Little Miles" Farley took an Alford plea on Tuesday to conspiracy to violate the Georgia Racketeer Corrupt and Influenced Organizations Act.

Prosecutors alleged Farley conspired to participate in furthering YSL through various acts of violence and the use of social media from January 2021 to May 2022.

Farley, the creator of the satirical clothing line Make America Slime Again, has been on house arrest and wore an ankle monitor to court, his attorney said.

He was originally charged in connection with the killing of Shymel Drinks; however, prosecutors dropped those charges.

Whitaker sentenced Farley to five years probation under the negotiated plea. He will also be considered a first offender, meaning he will not be a convicted felon if he completes probation successfully.

Going to Trial

After rejecting plea offers from the Fulton County District Attorney's Office, the following defendants chose to go to trial: Christian Eppinger, Damekion Garlington, Demise McMullen and Tenquarius Mender.

The next hearing concerning an immunity motion will be held at 10 a.m., Jan. 13.

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