New judge sets ground rules for long-running gang and racketeering case against rapper Young Thug

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Rees Whitaker held a hearing with prosecutors and defense attorneys to understand the pending issues and lay down some ground rules.

Whitaker inherited the case after the first judge assigned to the case, Chief Judge Ural Glanville, was removed from the case after two defendants sought to have the judge removed from the case, citing meetings the judge had with prosecutors and a government witness.

Jury selection began in January 2023 and took about 10 months. Opening statements were given in November and since then the prosecution has been presenting its case, calling dozens of witnesses.

Whitaker said she was “parachuting in” and was not following the case.

The case is currently on hold, with the jury due back in August. Whitaker said she plans to start court at 8:45 a.m. She also asked attorneys for a “realistic” list of witnesses, including what they expect those witnesses to say.

She said she has the right to exclude evidence and she can exercise it.

“I think we should try to use the jury’s time efficiently,” he said.

Young Thug, a Grammy winner whose real name is Jeffrey Williams, was charged two years ago in a sweeping indictment that accused him and more than two dozen others of conspiring to violate Georgia’s anti-racketeering law. He is also charged with gang, drug and gun offenses.

Five others are also facing trial along with him.

Young Thug’s lawyer, Bryan Steele, has said that his client is innocent and wants to clear his name through a fair trial.

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