Young Thug, YSL RICO Trial: 2 more defendants enter plea deals
ATLANTA - Two more co-defendants in the high-profile YSL RICO trial involving Atlanta rapper Young Thug have entered plea deals.
Young Thug, YSL Trial plea deals
Rodalius Ryan, also known as Lil Rod, and Marquavius Huey, known as Qua, took deals Wednesday afternoon in the Fulton County court.
Ryan, already serving time for a murder he was convicted of at the age of 15, pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to violate Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. His plea Wednesday meant that his 10-year sentence for the RICO charge would be commuted to time already served, enabling him to concentrate on appealing his murder conviction before the Georgia Supreme Court.
Huey’s plea deal came shortly after Ryan’s. Initially indicted on 19 charges including violating the RICO Act, multiple counts of armed robbery, and participation in a criminal street gang, Huey saw some charges dropped or reduced.
The judge sentenced him to 25 years, of which he will only serve nine in prison. His attorney told the judge Huey intended to use the opportunity to turn his life around and help others once he is released from prison.
The judge told Huey his deal was "remarkable" given the fact that he was facing the possibility of three consecutive life sentences plus additional time.
"I plan to do my time and come back a better man," Huey assured her.
The day prior, 29-year-old Quamarvious Nichols, accepted a plea deal.
All charges against Nichols, except one, including a murder charge, were dropped in exchange for his guilty plea to a RICO (racketeering) charge.
Co-defendant takes plea deal in YSL RICO trial
More twists and turns in the YSL RICO trial. A Fulton County Superior Court judge is still deciding whether to declare a mistrial after a witness read something he should not have while testifying last week. Days after that incident, one of the six defendants on trial took a plea deal.
These plea deals were negotiated following a standstill in the trial after a witness inadvertently read a hashtag on the stand last week, implicating one of the defendants.
Defense attorneys called for a mistrial, claiming that the jury should not hear about the defendants' past crimes or incarcerations. The court has yet to rule on the motion for a mistrial.
With these recent plea agreements, only three defendants remain on trial:
Jeffery Williams (Young Thug or Slime): Conspiracy to violate RICO, 2 counts of participation in criminal street gang activity, 3 counts of violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a machine gun.
Deamonte Kendrick (Yak Gotti): Conspiracy to violate RICO, murder (2015 murder of Donovan Thomas), participation in criminal street gang activity, 3 counts of violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a machine gun, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon previously convicted of a felony involving the use or possession of a firearm.
Shannon Stillwell (Shannon Jackson or SB): Conspiracy to violate RICO, 2 counts of murder (2015 murder of Donovan Thomas Jr. and 2022 murder of Shymel Drinks), 2 counts of participation in criminal street gang activity, 2 counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon previously convicted of a felony involving the use or possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
FOX 5 Atlanta has been following this trial for about a year. It's the longest running trial in the history of Georgia.
It remains uncertain as to when testimonies will resume in the case that has gripped the attention of the rap industry and fans worldwide.
Young Thug and 27 others were indicted in 2022 for violating Georgia's RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) law and committing multiple violent crimes. Following the longest jury selection in history (10 months), the trial for Young Thug and several co-defendants began in November 2023. It is now the longest trial in Georgia history. Prosecutors are attempting to prove that YSL (Young Slime Life) is a criminal street gang responsible for numerous offenses, including murder. The defendants maintain that YSL stands for Young Stoner Life and is the name of a record label founded by Young Thug. Young Thug is facing eight criminal charges. The trial has been plagued by various disruptions, including illnesses, the arrests of a juror and a lawyer, the stabbing of defendant Shannon Stillwell, the removal of the judge originally assigned to the case, and more.