YSL Trial: Jury Deliberations Begin For Last 2 Defendants

ATLANTA, GA — A Fulton County jury will now determine the fate of the two remaining defendants in the prominent YSL trial that was once focused on mainstream rapper Jeffery "Young Thug" Williams.

Fulton County prosecutors maintained Williams is the leader of a criminal street gang, Young Slime Life, while defense attorneys say YSL is Williams' label, Young Stoner Life. Twenty-seven other defendants were arrested and charged alongside Williams in the enormous case.

Williams, on Halloween, accepted a non-negotiated plea deal and was sentenced to 40 years, and released on probation. The YSL trial is Georgia's longest-running trial in history, per media reports.

It began with six defendants, including Williams, in November 2023 but has dwindled to Shannon "SB" Stillwell and Deamonte "Yak Gotti" Kendrick after four co-defendants pleaded guilty to various charges.

Both Stillwell and Kendrick pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including murder.

They are both accused in the January 2015 shooting death of Donovan Thomas, a suspected rival gang member. Stillwell is being accused 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. Multiple YSL associates testified in the case as part of their plea deals.

Attorneys for Stillwell and Kendrick declined to present evidence or witnesses after the state rested its case on Nov. 19.

During closing arguments on Monday, Fulton County Assistant District Attorney Christian Adkins said the vast case was about deception, intimidation, destruction and death.

Max Schardt, Stillwell's attorney, said state prosecutors were trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

He claimed prosecutors were attempting to "bang together a case" to make their narrative fit.

"It’s time to put the hammer down," Schardt said. "Let’s follow the evidence."

Schardt attempted to discredit the state's witnesses, specifically testimony from former alleged co-conspirator Kenneth "Lil' Woody" Copeland. While on the stand, Copeland said several times that he lied to the police and "finessed" them to save himself.

Meanwhile, Doug Weinstein, representing Kendrick, called the case a "Krispy Kreme donut hole" and a "nothing burger."

He said prosecutors believed Williams to be the "head of a wolf pack" and that Kendrick was a "casualty of law enforcement's war on Jeffery Williams."

Both attorneys asked for not-guilty verdicts for their clients.

Plea Deals

Williams was charged on suspicion of conspiracy to violate the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, participation in criminal street gang activity-the leadership charge, participation in criminal street gang activity, violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a machine gun.

He pleaded nolo contendre to criminal street gang activity-the leadership position and conspiracy to violate the RICO Act. Nolo contendre is a no-contest plea. He pleaded guilty to all other charges.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Whitaker sentenced Williams to 40 years, with a five-year prison sentence commuted to time served. Fifteen years must be served on probation with special conditions. Williams must actively report to a probation officer for the first 7.5 years of his probation and perform 100 hours of community service each year.

The 20 years remaining of his sentence can be served in prison if Williams violates the judge's orders, or it can be commuted to time served if he completes his probation. He is also banned from metro Atlanta for the first 10 years of his probation, excluding events such as weddings and graduations.

He must also visit metro Atlanta four times a year to make anti-gang presentations.

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

Charges and sentencing for them were as follows:

Ryan: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the RICO Act and was sentenced to 10 years commuted to time served and to be run concurrently with the life sentence he is currently serving.

Huey: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the RICO Act, three counts of robbery, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a weapon by an incarcerated individual. He was sentenced to 25 years with nine years to be served in prison. Nine years were suspended, and the balance will be served on probation.

Nichols: Pleaded guilty to violation of the RICO Act and was sentenced to 20 years, with seven years to be served in custody and the remainder on probation.

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