ATLANTA — The longest criminal trial in state history is near the end.
On Monday night, prosecutors and defense attorneys wrapped up their closing arguments in the Young Slime Life gang trial. Now, a Fulton County jury will decide the fate of the last two defendants: Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick, the rapper known as Yak Gotti.
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The jury will return to the courtroom at 11 a.m. to receive instructions from the judge. The jury will then begin its deliberations.
Channel 2′s Michael Seiden has been following the trial for over a year and will be in the courtroom for updates on Channel 2 Action News at Noon.
Prosecutors claim that YSL members have committed violent crimes across Atlanta. They accused Stillwell and Kendrick of killing Donovan Thomas Jr., also known as “Big Nut,” in drive-by shooting because he was in a rival gang.
Prosecutors have argued that tattoos, social media postings and other evidence supports their claims that YSL is a gang.
The defense said that’s not true and argued that Kendrick and Stillwell are part of a record label and not a gang.
“Being signed to a record label, even a rap record label, is not a crime in the U.S.,” attorney Doug Weinstein said.
RELATED STORIES:
- Prosecution rests after nearly year-long case against YSL
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- Young Thug released from Fulton County Jail after non-negotiated plea in YSL trial
- Last public defender in YSL trial moves to withdraw as counsel, says she can’t earn ‘livable wage’
The YSL case began initially as an indictment that charged 28 people, including rapper Young Thug, with conspiring to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
Nine people took plea deals before the trial began, including rapper Gunna. Other defendants had their cases severed and their cases are still pending.
The most prominent defendant was Young Thug. The rapper pleaded guilty as part of a non-negotiated plea in the YSL RICO case.
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