The Georgia Supreme Court has overturned a contempt of court order against Brian Steel, the attorney representing rapper Young Thug in his YSL RICO trial.
This ruling, issued on October 22, effectively clears Steel’s record after he faced legal repercussions during Thug’s ongoing RICO trial earlier this year.
The contempt order stemmed from a heated exchange between Steel and then-Judge Ural Glanville in June.
The incident arose when Steel confronted Judge Glanville about a private meeting that had taken place that morning involving the judge, prosecutors, and a key witness in the case.
When questioned about how he became aware of the meeting, Steel declined to disclose his source, which led to his removal from the courtroom. The judge accused Steel of obtaining confidential information, resulting in the attorney being taken into custody.
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Initially, Steel was sentenced to 20 days in jail, to be served over ten weekends. However, he was able to secure a bond while awaiting the outcome of his appeal, preventing him from serving time behind bars.
The Supreme Court’s decision favored Steel, highlighting that he was entitled to hear his case from a different judge due to the conflict of interest involving Judge Glanville.
The court emphasized that the exchange between Steel and Judge Glanville indicated that the judge was directly implicated in the controversy, warranting a separate presiding judge for the contempt hearing. This ruling restores Steel’s professional standing and raises questions about the judicial process and handling confidential information in high-profile cases.
Young Thug’s trial surrounded by drama
The legal battle surrounding Young Thug has been marked by dramatic developments, including issues with witnesses and plea agreements. It has even set a record for the most mistrials in the state.
Notably, witness Kenneth Copeland was incarcerated after failing to testify despite having an immunity deal contingent on his cooperation.
