Supporters of Atlanta rapper Young Thug recently gathered in a demonstration outside Fulton County Jail, voicing frustration over what they perceive as serious procedural issues in his ongoing RICO trial.
The protest followed a series of courtroom disruptions that have fueled calls for a mistrial and heightened questions about the case’s integrity.
The protest, organized by advocates who assert that recent events cast doubt on the fairness of proceedings, took place two days after a tense moment in court.
Young Thug’s trial to end in mistrial?
On Wednesday, Judge Paige Whitaker, the third judge to preside over the case, dismissed jurors following an error made by witness Slimelife Shawty, born Wunnie Lee. In an unexpected turn, Lee read an unredacted social media post that mistakenly included references suggesting prior incarcerations of Young Thug’s co-defendants—a disclosure that jurors were not supposed to see.
This incident prompted defense attorneys to push for a mistrial, arguing that the slip could prejudice the jury. Following the misstep, Judge Whitaker openly rebuked the prosecution for a pattern of what she characterized as avoidable mistakes, noting that such errors risk undermining months of court proceedings. Whitaker paused the trial, giving the defense and prosecution a two-day recess to discuss potential resolutions, though specifics on the discussions remain unclear.
Related stories
Outside the courthouse, protest organizer Ten Wilkerson expressed that such issues point to a breakdown in the justice system. He stated that at some point, it must be acknowledged if a trial has gone off course. According to Wilkerson, the ongoing mishaps signal the need to reevaluate, either through a mistrial or even dismissing the charges and re-initiating the case with fresh oversight.
Young Thug’s trial, which began in November 2023, is approaching a full year, and it has already become the longest-running case in Georgia’s state history. The defense has filed a staggering 45 motions for mistrial, all of which have been denied. The case, a high-profile RICO prosecution involving Young Thug’s alleged leadership in the YSL organization, has faced heightened scrutiny amid repeated courtroom disruptions and prosecutorial blunders.
