ATLANTA – After a several-hour delay Thursday morning, the judge in the Young Thug and YSL RICO trial in Fulton County released everyone for one day without explanation.

The trial continues on Monday at 9 a.m.

According to several social media posts, defense attorneys met with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Assistant District Attorney Adriane Love earlier in the day to discuss possible plea agreements before a mistrial was declared.

FOX 5 Atlanta could not independently confirm this information. However, one of the defense attorneys hinted to FOX 5 that something significant would happen on Monday.

The Young Thug and YSL RICO trial is the longest criminal trial in the history of the state of Georgia. Today is day #151.

Judge Paige Reese Whitaker said Wednesday that she would not agree to a mistrial with prejudice, meaning the case could not be retried. However, she indicated that she would consider granting a mistrial without prejudice.

Five people are currently on trial with Jeffery Williams, also known as Young Thug. It is up to each defendant whether they decide to accept a plea deal from the state. Some of the defendants face more serious charges, including murder, than others.

It is possible that defendants who can plead to a lesser charge and avoid prison time will choose to avoid another lengthy and expensive trial.

LIST OF DEFENDANTS

Jeffery Williams (Young Thug or Slime): Conspiracy to Violate RICO, 2 counts of engaging in street gang criminal activity, 3 counts of violating the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a machine gun.

Maquavius ​​​​Huey (Qua): Conspiracy to Violate RICO, 3 counts of Armed Robbery, 4 counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, 4 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, First Degree Hijacking of a Motor Vehicle, 4 counts of Contributing to a Street Offense Gang activity, possession of a weapon by an incarcerated person and possession of a telecommunications device by an incarcerated person.

Deamonte Kendrick (Yak Gotti): Conspiracy to violate RICO, murder (murder of Donovan Thomas in 2015), engaging in criminal street gang activity, three counts of violating 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 who has previously been convicted of a crime involving the use or possession of a firearm.

Quamarvious Nichols (Qua): Conspiracy to Violate RICO, Murder (2022 Shymel Drinks Murder), 2 counts of Engaging in Criminal Street Gang Activity, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon Previously Convicted of a Felony Involving the Use or Possession of a firearm, and 2 counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Rodalius Ryan (Lil Rod): Conspiracy to Violate RICO. Currently serving a life sentence for the 2019 murder of Jamari Holmes.

Shannon Stillwell (Shannon Jackson or SB): Conspiracy to violate RICO, 2 counts of murder (murder of Donovan Thomas Jr. in 2015 and murder of Shymel Drinks in 2022), participation in criminal street gang activity, 2 counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon previously convicted, in 2 counts felony offense involving the use or possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

EARLIER STORY

The judge presiding over the YSL RICO trial is considering declaring a mistrial after a prosecutor’s misstep in court Wednesday. This marks the latest development in the 11-month trial against rapper Young Thug and several co-defendants, who are accused of violating Georgia’s anti-racketeering and gang laws.

The incident occurred when rapper Slimelife Shawty, one of the original 28 defendants, witnessed it. The prosecutor asked him to review social media posts to identify other people involved in the case. As he did so, the witness read aloud the headline “FREE QUA,” revealing information that the jury was not supposed to know about which defendants were incarcerated.

Nicole Westmoreland, one of Quamarvious Nichols’ attorneys, immediately expressed concerns. “Now the jury has heard repeatedly that Mr. Nichols is in prison, and we can’t ring that bell, so we’re going to request a mistrial,” Westmoreland said.

SEE ALSO: The Georgia Supreme Court overturns the contempt order against Brian Steel, Young Thug’s attorney

In response, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Whitaker temporarily removed the jury from the courtroom to hear arguments from Nichols’ defense. Westmoreland further argued, “It is painfully obvious that the state is not preparing the witnesses.”

The misstep is the latest twist in a trial marked by numerous courtroom arguments. Earlier this year, defense attorneys asked for a mistrial because of a one-sided conversation between a witness, the prosecutor and the previous judge.

Westmoreland expressed frustration with the repeated problems in the process, stating, “It happens over and over again, Your Honor, and we’re not going to be able to ring 100 bells.”

Judge Whitaker acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but made clear that a mistrial with prejudice – which would prohibit the state from retrying the case – was not an option. However, she noted that a mistrial without prejudice, which would allow the state to retry the case, was still possible.

“So not everyone will have wasted 10, 12 months of their life in this process,” Judge Whitaker noted, emphasizing that such a decision is a last resort.

SEE ALSO: Antonio “Mounk Tounk” Sledge had his five-year probation revoked

The judge has not indicated when she will rule on the motion for a mistrial. Meanwhile, the trial, already the longest in Georgia state history, is expected to continue Thursday.

Young Thug and 27 others were charged in 2022 with violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) law and committing multiple violent crimes. After the longest jury selection in history (10 months), the trial against Young Thug and several co-defendants began in November 2023. It is now the longest trial in Georgia history. Prosecutors are trying to prove that YSL (Young Slime Life) is a criminal street gang responsible for numerous crimes, including murder. The defendants claim that YSL stands for Young Stoner Life and is the name of a record label founded by Young Thug. Young Thug faces eight criminal charges. The trial was plagued by various disruptions, including illness, the arrest of a juror and attorney, the stabbing of defendant Shannon Stillwell, the removal of the original judge in charge of the case, and more.