The long-running racketeering trial involving Young Thug and the YSL collective is finally progressing under new leadership.
Newly-appointed Judge Paige Reese Whitaker is steering the proceedings with a new schedule and updated guidelines, aiming to streamline the case that began in November 2023 after a prolonged jury selection phase.
At a hearing on July 19, Judge Whitaker acknowledged her sudden entry into the trial, setting August 5 as the date for the jury’s return. This decision comes as she works through pending motions. Her goal is to expedite the trial while maintaining fairness and decorum.
To keep the trial on track, Judge Whitaker established a rigorous daily court schedule, running from 8:45 a.m. to 6 p.m., with slightly shorter Friday sessions. She also banned headphones and eating in the courtroom, emphasizing professionalism and respect within the judicial process.
This move follows the removal of Judge Ural Glanville on July 15, who had overseen the trial from its inception. Glanville’s departure stemmed from a controversial meeting with prosecutors and state witness Kenneth Copeland, conducted without the knowledge of Young Thug and his legal team. This incident led Thug’s lawyer, Brian Steel, to file a motion for Glanville’s dismissal, arguing that the judge compromised the trial’s integrity.
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After Glanville’s removal, Judge Shakura Ingram briefly took over but recused herself on July 17 due to a personal conflict of interest. Hours later, Judge Whitaker was appointed to replace her, bringing her experience as a former Fulton County prosecutor and state Attorney General’s office staff member.
The reshuffling of judges has not gone unnoticed. Steel expressed relief at Glanville’s removal, stating that Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffrey Williams, deserves a fair trial. Steel emphasized the need for an impartial judge and ethical prosecutors to ensure justice is served.
In response to the turbulence, attorneys for co-defendant and fellow YSL rapper Yak Gotti, real name Deamonte Kendrick, announced plans to file a motion for a mistrial. The controversy intensified after the private meeting between Glanville, Copeland, and the prosecutors, which many critics argue should have been held in open court.
