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Deamonte Kendrick and Shannon Stillwell in court
Two YSL defendants -- Deamonte Kendrick and Shannon Stillwell -- appeared in Fulton County courtrooms on Tuesdays morning. They were both seeking release from jail. Stillwell should be released soon.
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - Two co-defendants in the YSL RICO trial appeared in court on Tuesday for separate hearings at the Fulton County Courthouse, where the high-profile case continues to unfold.
Devonte Kendrick, known as rapper Yak Gotti, requested an emergency bond hearing for charges he faces while being held at the Fulton County Jail. His attorneys filed a motion citing safety concerns in the jail, which have been highlighted by a recent U.S. Department of Justice investigation. Kendrick’s attorney asked for a $20,000 bond, arguing for his release pending trial.
The District Attorney’s office opposed the request, claiming Kendrick is a danger and highlighting his alleged involvement in a jail fight. The judge delayed ruling on the bond request, citing an outstanding warrant against Kendrick. A decision will be made once the warrant is resolved.
In a separate hearing, Shannon Stillwell took a plea deal on multiple charges, including street gang activity, weapons violations, hit-and-run, and car theft. Stillwell entered an Alford plea, maintaining his innocence while accepting a guilty verdict for the felony charges. He was sentenced to time served, with 12 years of probation. Additionally, Stillwell will be banned from the Atlanta area for five years.
Stillwell’s attorneys said outside the courthouse that they were relieved to resolve the case. Stillwell is expected to be released from jail later today or by Wednesday, allowing him to begin probation.
Other hearings for co-defendants in the YSL RICO case also took place Tuesday. One defendant accepted a plea deal, while several others indicated plans to proceed to trial.
Miles Farley also entered an Alford plea to the RICO count. Because he had no previous criminal record, he was eligible for the first offender's program and was sentenced to 5 years probation.
Four out of 28 defendants remain in the YSL RICO case.
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Former YSL defendant Deamonte Kendrick and his attorneys return to court on Tuesday for a hearing to ask a Fulton County judge for bond.
On Dec. 9, attorneys for Kendrick, who goes by the stage name Yak Gotti, filed an emergency motion for bond, citing concerns about his safety while in custody in the Fulton County Jail.
Kendrick has been in jail since May 2022, when he was indicted along with Young Thug, Gunna, and 25 others as part of an investigation by Fulton County prosecutors into allegations the group violated Georgia's gang and racketeering laws.
After a trial filled with delays, judge changes, and controversies, the jury acquitted Kendrick of all charges. The other defendant remaining in the case, Shannon Stillwell, was found guilty of only gun possession.
In his motion requesting bond, Kendrick's attorneys say he remains in jail because of a 2023 charge accusing him of possessing or providing prohibited items to an inmate.
"But for his arrest on said case, Defendant would not have been in custody," the motion states.
SEE MORE: YSL RICO trial defendant files class-action lawsuit over Fulton County Jail conditions
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Fulton County DA to set trial for remain YSL defendants
Now that the longest criminal trial in Georgia history is over, Fulton County prosecutors want to move forward with trials for the five remaining YSL defendants. the district attorney's office filed a motion Friday asking to set the trial date for February 24.
Kayla Bumpuss, Kendrick's attorney, claims his client has experienced violence during his time in custody, including an incident on Dec. 1 when he was attacked.
"It is evident that the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office cannot keep Mr. Kendrick safe," Bumpus wrote.
The motion also references a Justice Department report released on Nov. 14, which condemned conditions at the Fulton County Jail. The report detailed systemic issues, including pest infestations, malnourishment, and a high risk of violence among incarcerated individuals. The DOJ concluded that these conditions are unconstitutional and unlawful, stating:
"People incarcerated in the Fulton County Jail suffered harm from pest infestation and malnourishment and were put at substantial risk of serious harm from violence by other incarcerated people — including homicides, stabbings, and sexual abuse. The unconstitutional and unlawful conditions at the Fulton County Jail have persisted for far too long."
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Kendrick's attorneys claim he is no threat to the community and will not contact victims or witnesses connected to the case.
The hearing will be at 9 a.m. with Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney.
The Source: Information for this story came from Fulton County court records and previous FOX 5 reporting.