Young Thug RICO Trial Ends with Acquittals for Remaining Defendants

Deamonte Kendrick and Shannon Stillwell were cleared of major charges, marking a major setback for Fulton County prosecutors in the high-profile case.

Deamonte Kendrick, known as Yak Gotti, and Shannon Stillwell were acquitted of racketeering, murder, and gang-related charges after a nearly two-year trial.
The trial initially involved 28 defendants, with many pleading guilty or accepting plea deals, including rapper Young Thug, who received probation in October.
Prosecutors relied on song lyrics, social media posts, and witness testimony, which defense attorneys argued were insufficient and unreliable as evidence.
The case faced numerous disruptions, including a judge's removal, a lawyer's arrest, and allegations of prosecutorial disorganization and misconduct.
Critics have questioned the effectiveness of the trial, while defense attorneys emphasized the defendants' challenging upbringings and aspirations to escape hardship through music.