Update: Judge Presiding Over Young Thug YSL Trial Removed From Case
Update: Judge Presiding Over Young Thug YSL Trial Removed From Case
Update: (July 15, 2024): A major change has occurred in the ongoing gang and racketeering trial against Young Thug and his alleged associates.
Fulton County Chief Judge Ural Glanville has been recused from the case following a controversial private meeting with prosecutors and a key state witness. The ruling, issued today (July 15), determined that the court has “no doubt that Judge Glanville can and would continue presiding fairly over this matter if the recusal motions were denied.” However, Judge Glanville’s removal is necessary to preserve “the public’s confidence in the judicial system.”
As previously reported, Young Thug’s attorney, Brian Steel, slammed the judge last month after learning about the ex parte meeting in the judge’s chambers. Demanding a mistrial over the incident as no one from Young Thug’s legal team was present during the discussion, Steel said to Judge Glanville,
“You’re not supposed to have communication with a witness who’s been sworn.”
However, Judge Ural Glanville pushed back, sentencing Steel to 10 weekends behind bars (no more than 20 days) for not sharing who informed him about the meeting. Following an appeal, Steel’s request for an emergency bond was granted and he avoided any jail time.
At the moment, it’s unclear who will take over the case or when the already paused trial will resume.
[VIA]
Original Story: (July 2, 2024): The high-profile racketeering and gang conspiracy trial of rapper Young Thug and five associates has been halted indefinitely due to allegations of misconduct.
The trial, already the longest in Georgia’s history at 18 months, faces further delay as Judge Glanville awaits a decision on whether he should recuse himself from the case.
The controversy stems from accusations that Judge Glanville held a hush-hush meeting with prosecutors and a key witness, Kenneth Copeland, to influence his testimony, a move contested by defense attorneys as improper.
Initially intending to make the meeting transcript public, Judge Glanville reversed course, opting instead to refer the recusal motions to another judge.
This development follows Brian Steel, Young Thug’s lead attorney, being held in criminal contempt last month for refusing to disclose how he learned about the meeting.
The trial has been plagued by multiple delays, including a lengthy jury selection and recent disputes over evidence and witness testimony.
Young Thug, facing charges linked to allegations of leading the Young Slime Life gang, maintains his innocence as his trial continues, with its outcome uncertain and proceedings possibly extending into next year.
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