Update: Young Thug’s RICO Trial Receives New Judge After First Two Are Removed From Case

Young Thug, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker

Update: Young Thug’s RICO Trial Receives New Judge After First Two Are Removed From Case

Update: (July 17, 2024): Young Thug’s RICO trial has officially hit judge number three.

News broke this morning that Judge Shukura Ingram recused herself from the case after learning that her former deputy had an affair with one of the co-defendants. According to reports, in her place, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker has stepped in to oversee the rest of the already lengthy trial.

Judge Paige Reese Whitaker is the third judge in the case. As recently reported, Judge Ural Glanville, the trial’s initial judge, was dismissed over criticism for having a private meeting with prosecutors and a key state witness.

Original Story: (July 17, 2024): Another judge is stepping down from Young Thug’s ongoing YSL RICO trial.

Reports state the newest judge assigned to the case recused herself recently after discovering that her now ex-deputy had an affair with a co-defendant of the case.

Reportedly, Fulton County Judge Shukura Ingram asked the case to be reassigned just two days after it was announced she’d be taking over the infamous trial. As we recently reported, Judge Ural Glanville, who’s been presiding over the case since it kicked off in January of 2023, was dismissed following major criticism from Young Thug’s lawyer Brian Steel about a controversial private meeting he held with prosecutors and a key state witness.

Judge Shukura Ingram was reportedly randomly selected to lead the case next, but wrote in a statement published earlier today (Wednesday, July 16th) that she was recusing herself due to her ex-courthouse deputy having a romantic relationship with a co-defendant named Christian Eppinger. The judge claimed that while she was certain she could be impartial to the case, she believed the trial should be reassigned as the affair could create an “appearance of impropriety,” adding:

“Because this Court’s former assigned deputy could be called as a witness in any future proceedings in this case, the Court may be called upon to assess this deputy’s credibility, or rule on matters related to her criminal prosecution. This may undermine the public’s confidence in the impartiality of the proceedings,”

Judge Shukura L. Ingram

While Ingram reportedly opted not to name the ex-deputy in her address, it’s noted that in other court documents, the courtroom professional is reportedly named as Akeiba Stanley. Ingram did share, however, that the individual was “assigned to and responsible for the courtroom and personal security” of her for nearly six months, and was still assigned to Ingram when she was arrested after investigators discovered her relationship with Christian Eppinger.

Young Thug, born Jeffrey Williams, remains behind bars while the trial continues. The rapper and several of his associates stand accused of executing several gang-related crimes in the metro Atlanta area over a significant number of years.

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[VIA]