YSL RICO case: Trial for remaining defendants set for early March

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - A pre-trial conference for the remaining three defendants in the YSL RICO case—Christian Eppinger, Damekion Garlington, and Demise McMullen—began with heated exchanges Friday morning in a Fulton County courtroom. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker clashed with defense attorneys over requests for additional time to review evidence and file motions.

"If you interrupt me again, we are going to have a problem. I am talking," Whitaker warned the defense attorneys. Judge Whitaker also expressed frustration over the delays, including a scheduling conflict raised by McMullen’s attorney, Terrell Dark, who filed leave for international travel from Feb. 16-28. While Dark stated the leave was filed in December, Whitaker and her staff said they only became aware of it during the hearing.

The prosecution team, led by Chief Deputy District Attorney Adam Abbate, addressed questions about redacting parts of the indictment. Prosecutors assured the court that redactions would be completed by Monday.

Eventually, it was agreed upon that jury selection will begin March 3. Judge Whitaker plans to call 400 potential jurors, aiming to avoid the 10-month selection process seen in the previous YSL trial. She also stated that the indictment reading would not be as lengthy as the four-hour process in prior proceedings.

Another pre-trial conference was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Feb. 7.

Recent Developments in the YSL Case

Earlier this week, Tenquarius Mender accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to weapon and cell phone possession while in custody and entering an Alford plea to a gang charge. Mender was sentenced to 10 years, with time served and at least five years on probation.

On the same day, Eppinger appeared in court, declining a plea deal for life in prison. He faces charges including attempted murder for allegedly shooting Atlanta Police Officer David Rodgers six times in February 2022. If convicted, he could face two life sentences plus 100 years.

The backstory:

The YSL RICO indictment was filed in 2022 against multiple defendants, including award-winning rapper Young Thug (real name Jeffery Williams), for alleged violations of Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and involvement in violent crimes. Many defendants, including rapper Gunna (real name Sergio Kitchens), accepted plea deals to avoid trial.

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The first trial, which began in November 2023, endured significant disruptions, including illnesses, the arrests of a juror and lawyer, stabbings of two defendants, and motions for mistrial. Young Thug and three other defendants took plea deals in October 2024 and were released. Two remaining defendants, Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick (rapper Yak Gotti), were found not guilty of serious charges, including murder. Stillwell was released, but Kendrick remains in jail on other charges, with a hearing scheduled for February.

As the case against the final three defendants continues, prosecutors estimate the trial could last up to 90 days, though six weeks is a more likely timeline. Judge Whitaker remains firm on maintaining the trial schedule, underscoring her determination to ensure the case proceeds without further delays.