The long-running gang and racketeering trial in Atlanta, which involved rapper Young Thug pleading guilty in October, concluded on Tuesday with the jury finding the final two defendants not guilty of murder charges.
Deamonte Kendrick, known as Yak Gotti, was acquitted of all charges, while Shannon Stillwell was found guilty only of a gun possession charge. The trial, which began nearly two years ago, was marred by various issues and delays.
The original indictment accused 28 individuals of conspiring to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, using song lyrics and social media posts as evidence. Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, was released on probation after pleading guilty to gang, drug, and gun charges.
Kendrick and Stillwell were charged in the 2015 killing of Donovan Thomas Jr., also known as “Big Nut,” and Stillwell was also implicated in the 2022 death of Shymel Drinks. Prosecutors alleged that these killings were related to gang activities associated with Young Thug.
Despite the verdicts, Stillwell received the maximum 10-year sentence for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, with credit for time served and the remainder to be served on probation.
The trial was marked by the use of song lyrics and social media posts as evidence, with defense attorneys criticizing the state for relying on such material to build a case against the defendants.
Young Thug, along with two others, was said to have founded the Young Slime Life gang, which prosecutors linked to the national Bloods gang. The trial also highlighted the role of music in the lives of the accused, who turned to music as an escape from challenging circumstances.
While the trial faced numerous challenges and delays, it shed light on the struggles of communities affected by violence and economic hardship. The defense argued that the defendants engaged in criminal activities to survive in environments lacking economic opportunities.
Despite the outcome of the trial, the case has had a significant impact on Atlanta’s rap scene and raised questions about the use of evidence in gang-related cases.
Several individuals charged in the indictment accepted plea deals, while charges against others remain pending. Prosecutors dropped charges against one defendant following a conviction in an unrelated case.
