Young Thug YSL RICO trial: Antonio 'Mounk Tounk' Sledge returns to stand
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - Antonio "Mounk Tounk" Sledge is back on the witness stand this morning in Fulton County for the Young Thug and YSL RICO trial.
Court broke early for lunch, however, after Sledge became irritated with how he was being questioned by Fulton County Chief Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love. After he began answering questions with "I don't recall," Judge Paige Reese Whitaker ordered a lunch break until 12:30 p.m. to give Sledge time to "calm down."
The defense also made another run this morning at trying to demonstrate that wiping under one's nose is not a gang sign and simply something that was made popular by Young Thug.
After yesterday's win by the Miami Dolphins, Tyreek Hill wiped under his nose and said the word "Slatt" after an interview with a sideline reporter.
RELATED: Dolphins' Tyreek Hill detained hours before game vs Jaguars
Attorney Doug Weinstein, who represents Deamonte Kendrick, wanted to have the video admitted as evidence and asked Sledge if he had seen the game. However, Sledge told the attorney that he did not see the game or the interview with Hill.
The phrase "wipe his nose" became very popular in 2018, although the phrase has been for many years. NLE Choppa used the phrase in at least 4 songs in 2018 and it has been used by many other artists.
However, it was Young Thug who is credited with being one of the earliest rappers to use the phrase in 2014. It has also become popular with professional athletes.
After the early lunch break, prosecutor Love continued her redirection of Sledge.
At one point, they were talking about a tour featuring Young Thug and Travis Scott in 2015 and Love claimed not to know who Travis Scott is.
Sledge also told the judge that Love was going too far when she asked him if he wiped his nose at the jury.
Before he left the stand, Sledge apologized if he appeared to be "rude" during his testimony. He was released, but is still under subpoena and could be called back to court.
After Sledge left the stand, his attorney was called to testify about the meeting between Sledge and the prosecution.
EARLIER STORY
Sledge spent two days last week on the witness stand in the Young Thug and YSL RICO trial in Fulton County.
Sledge previously took a plea deal that required him to provide testimony in the trial.
RELATED: YSL defendants in court: Several remaining defendants reject plea deals
The state questioned him about the days surrounding the 2015 murder of Donovan "Nut" Thomas.
Young Thug's attorney, Brian Steel, was more direct.
"Do you have any personal knowledge that Jeffery Williams committed the murder of Donovan Thomas Jr.?" Steel asked.
"No," Sledge replied.
"In any fashion?" Steel followed up.
"No," Sledge added.
Attorney Max Schardt questioned Sledge extensively about his December 2022 plea deal and conditions at the Fulton County Jail.
Sledge described the jail as dangerous and filthy.
Schardt asked if Sledge was pressured to sign a document stating he wasn't pressured, to which Sledge responded, "Yes."
He also confirmed that his mother was ill and he was responsible for the care of eight children when he accepted the state's deal. Additionally, he noted that he could not afford a lawyer.
Schardt then reviewed the factual acknowledgments in Sledge's plea deal, questioning why the state considered Sledge dangerous when first arrested but not after the plea deal.
In other trial developments, a man identifying himself as a podcaster was granted permission to use a cellphone and laptop in court.
A woman known as @InfamousSylvia was allowed to continue livestreaming the trial after the court became aware of "inappropriate" behavior. However, Judge Whitaker warned her about potentially releasing identifying information about jurors and using "nicknames" to describe them. Whitaker expressed concern that she was disrespectful to the jurors and the court. The woman denied any intention of being disrespectful, claiming the nicknames like "Spongebob" were based on movies she likes, but agreed to stop using nicknames.
The prosecution and defense also argued over showing videos of LeBron James, Stefon Diggs, CeeDee Lamb, and others wiping their noses, which prosecutors allege is a gang sign used by YSL members.
Judge Whitaker ruled that the jury could view at least two of the videos, including a video showing Deebo Samuel of the 49ers wiping his nose and saying "Slime." That video was played for the jury.
Throughout the day on Friday, Chief Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love frequently raised objections to the questions asked of Sledge, leading Steel to remark that was all she ever does.
Before court recessed for the day, Judge Whitaker informed the court that Sledge's attorney, Derek Wright, had been subpoenaed by the state. The judge asked if it would be a problem for Wright to continue representing Sledge. Prosecutor Love said it would not be an issue.
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The state intends to call Wright because of Steel's questioning of Sledge, where Steel implied Prosecutor Love told Sledge not to testify about certain matters. Love denied the accusation and wants Wright to corroborate it.
Wright told the court that although he believes his client is being truthful, he also thinks Love merely said she would not be asking about certain topics.
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.