YSL Trial Winds Down As GA Rests Case Against Last 2 Defendants

ATLANTA, GA — The State of Georgia has examined its final witness in the massive gang and racketeering YSL trial against the two remaining defendants in Fulton County. The case once included popular Atlanta rapper Jeffery "Young Thug" Williams.

Fulton County Deputy District Attorney Simone Hylton rested the case on behalf of the state Tuesday in front of a jury and Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Whitaker.

A key investigator, formerly of the Atlanta Police Department, was the last to testify in the year-long trial. Defense attorneys challenged her knowledge and the validity of her testimony.

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

In a trial that started with six co-defendants, Deamante "Yak Gotti" Kendrick and Shannon "SB" Stillwell are the last two defendants in the YSL trial. They are each facing murder charges.

Both Kendrick and Stillwell declined to testify in the trial.

Fulton County Jail records showed Kendrick faces a plethora of charges, including conspiracy to violate the Racketeer and Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act, three counts of violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a machine gun, participation in criminal street gang activity, aggravated assault, four counts of unauthorized possession of prohibited item by inmate and possession of prohibited items by inmate or providing prohibited items to inmate.

A murder charge against Kendrick was dropped, jail records showed.

Stillwell was charged on suspicion of murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, criminal use of an article with altered ID mark, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, use of a firearm by a convicted felon during the commission of a crime, possession of prohibited items by inmate or providing prohibited items to inmate, according to jail records

A second murder charge against Stillwell was dropped, jail records showed. Stillwell is also known as Shannon Jackson.

Jeffery "Young Thug" Williams

Williams was accused of leading a criminal street gang, which state prosecutors call "Young Slime Life." Defense attorneys argued that YSL is Williams' rap label, "Young Stoner Life."

On Halloween, Oct. 31, Williams entered a non-negotiated plea deal, pleading guilty to most charges and nolo contendre to criminal street gang activity-the leadership position and conspiracy to violate the RICO Act.

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.

In speaking to the court, he apologized to his family and others who have supported him during this long journey.

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.

In all, Fulton County Chief Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love said Williams faced 120 years for the charges. The state also pushed to have any of his seized properties forfeited.

Other Defendants

Co-defendants Rodalius "Lil' Rod' Ryan, 20, and Marquavius "Qua" Huey, 28, previously pleaded guilty to various charges. Quamarvious "Qua" Nichols, 29, also pleaded guilty.

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.

Court will resume without the jury at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

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