Atlanta Rapper Young Thug’s Case Ends in Mixed Verdicts
The long-running legal saga surrounding Atlanta rapper Young Thug and his alleged ties to a criminal gang has reached a conclusion marked by unexpected turns. While Young Thug himself pleaded guilty to gang and drug charges in October securing his release on probation, the fate of his collaborators remained uncertain until Tuesday. The trial’s final verdicts brought mixed results, with one acquitted of all charges and another convicted on a single gun possession charge.
Deamonte Kendrick, known in the music world as Yak Gotti, walked free, cleared of all charges related to racketeering, murder, and gang activity. Shannon Stillwell, however, was found guilty of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of ten years. He received the maximum sentence, but with credit for time already served and the remaining term to be served on probation.
The case centered on accusations that Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, co-founded a gang known as Young Slime Life (YSL), which prosecutors claimed was linked to the national Bloods gang. The prosecution’s case relied heavily on rap lyrics and social media posts, arguing they constituted evidence of criminal intent.
Nine individuals, including prominent rapper Gunna, accepted plea deals before the trial began. Four others pleaded guilty during the trial, leaving Kendrick and Stillwell to face the jury. Both men had been victims of violence while imprisoned, with Stillwell being stabbed last year and Kendrick suffering a similar fate just days ago.
“I’m just thankful for a lot of things right now,” Tasha Kendrick, Yak Gotti’s mother, expressed through tearful relief after the verdict. “My emotions are all over the place right now.”
The prosecution alleged that YSL was involved in several violent incidents, including a 2015 drive-by shooting that killed Donovan Thomas Jr. known as “Big Nut," and a 2022 shooting that claimed the life of Shymel Drinks. Stillwell was charged in both incidents, with prosecutors presenting evidence that the second killing was retaliation for the deaths of two associates believed to be part of YSL.
Defense attorneys argued that the prosecution’s case was built on shaky ground. They claimed that song lyrics, selectively chosen social media posts, and the testimonies of unreliable witnesses were wrongly used to paint a misleading picture of young men who had turned to music as an escape from poverty and difficult pasts.
“He’s not blind to the fact that he is getting a second chance at life,” said Stillwell’s attorney Max Schardt, echoing the sentiments shared by Kendrick’s lawyer, Doug Weinstein.
Kendrick, a close friend of Young Thug, had dedicated himself to his musical career before being ensnared in the legal drama, according to Weinstein.
"I’m so happy that he can kind of draw a line in the sand now,” he said. "All of this is behind him. He can get on with his life and not worry about this nonsense.”
Young Thug’s case had already stirred controversy amongst critics who questioned Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’s use of the state’s anti-racketeering law, accusing her of applying it too broadly. Willis, who has also used the same law in her case against former President Donald Trump for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, defended her decision, stating that her office “always respect[s] the verdict of a jury.”
The trial’s end marks a significant turning point for Atlanta’s rap scene, leaving a trail of legal and personal consequences for those involved. While some defendants found freedom, others continue to face the challenges of navigating the legal system and rebuilding their lives.
