Young Thug’s fast-approaching RICO trial could become a star-studded affair.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the state of Georgia intends to call up to 372 witnesses during the high-profile trial. The list reportedly has 157 current and former members of the Atlanta Police Department, 11 Georgia Bureau of Investigation members, and more than 60 law enforcement officers with agencies like the FBI and ATF.
The list includes a number of high-profile hip-hop figures like Lil Wayne, Killer Mike, Rich Homie Quan, YFN Lucci, Birdman. Music executive Lyor Cohen is also named.
WSB-TV reporter Michael Seiden obtained a portion of the defense’s witness list on Tuesday, around the time jury selection kicked off. As you can see below, the potential witnesses include 300 Entertainment co-founder Kevin Liles and Young Thug’s ex-girlfriend Jerrika Karlae.
Thug, legal name Jeffery Lamar Williams, was among 28 people who were named in a sweeping 56-count indictment last May. He and his codefendants are accused of conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO Act and participation in a criminal street gang. Prosecutors say the defendants—which included rappers like Gunna, Lil Duke, and Slimelife Shawty—were members of the YSL gang and engaged in violent criminal activity since 2012. Defense attorneys insist YSL (Young Stoner Life) was nothing more than a music imprint and clothing company.
Young Thug has remained behind bars since his arrest back in May and has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He and 13 others will begin their trial next week. Eight of Thugger’s co-defendants, including Gunna, have entered plea deals, while six others will be tried separately as they’ve yet to secure attorneys or remain at large.
Seiden reports that the presiding judge has allowed the defense to view the jury pool, but warned defendants not to contact any potential jurors.
The YSL RICO trial is expected to begin on Jan. 9, and could reportedly last as long as six months.
