After a year of testimony, deliberations have begun in Atlanta in the gang and racketeering trial that initially involved rapper Young Thug. Jurors are currently weighing the fate of two defendants, Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick, on charges including gang affiliation, murder, drug offenses, and illegal possession of firearms. The trial, which originally indicted 28 individuals for conspiring to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, has seen significant developments over the past year.
Four defendants, including Young Thug, recently pleaded guilty, with the rapper being released on probation. Stillwell and Kendrick, however, opted to reject plea deals after negotiations and chose not to present evidence or witnesses in their defense. The charges against them stem from their alleged involvement in the 2015 killing of Donovan Thomas Jr., also known as “Big Nut,” in an Atlanta barbershop.
