Gunna Denied Bond For The Third Time, Judge Still Concerned About Witness Intimidation If Rapper Is Released

Gunna

Gunna Denied Bond For The Third Time, Judge Still Concerned About Witness Intimidation If Rapper Is Released

Looks like rap star Gunna will remain behind bars for the time being.

After submitting a third appeal to be released on bond ahead of his trial hearing – set to begin in January 2023 – Sergio ‘Gunna‘ Kitchens was yet again denied. The Atlanta rap star was arrested back in May of this year in connection to a slew of RICO charges brought by the Atlanta DA. Gunna, 29, was detained along with his close associate Jeffrey ‘Young Thug‘ Williams, 31, and 28 other YSL associates.

A little over a week following the arrest, the musician filed his first plea to be released on bond. A court judge denied the appeal, citing concerns his release would expose witnesses to possible intimidation. The same reasoning is reportedly why the judge denied the rapper’s second and third appeals as well.

Gunna’s lawyers claim there is no evidence to support keeping their client in jail, however. In a previous statement they wrote:

“Sergio Kitchens (Gunna) is very hopeful that the Court will now recognize that the discovery provided by the prosecution fails to show his pretrial release poses a significant risk of danger to any person or the community or poses a significant threat to witnesses, and accordingly grants a reasonable bond.” 

Gunna

According to reporters present for the most recent YSL hearing, the judge denied the request, stating:

“I still have the same concerns that have not been otherwise alleviated.”

Reportedly, the judge added that he’s open to hearing bond appeals from the musician in the future. Gunna, Young Thug, and 28 others are being accused of a number of gang-related crimes. Atlanta DA Fani Willis previously stated they have evidence to support the RICO charges and plan to use lyrics from the rappers’ music to support said evidence.

However, a number of individuals, including music exec Kevin Liles who reportedly attended YSL’s most recent hearing, are fighting against it. Liles, Jay Z, and others have worked to draft legislation to fight against using lyrics as evidence in criminal cases, stating it’s a “shameful and un-American practice of criminalizing creative expression”. Liles’ petition to have federal legislation in support of the movement has reportedly almost reached its goal of 75,000 signatures.

It’s unclear whether or not Gunna’s team plans to file an additional bond appeal. He will remain in jail at this time until the January court date.

[VIA]

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