Judge in Fani Willis Case Forces Acquittal on Three Charges

The judge presiding over the Young Slime Life trial granted not guilty verdicts for one of the case’s co-defendants on Wednesday.
Deamonte Kendrick, also known as Yak Gotti, and Shannon Stillwell, also known as SB, are charged with multiple counts related to racketeering conspiracy and participation in criminal street gang activity, along with murder and drug and gun violations. They have both pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecutors claim Kendrick and Stillwell were part of the Young Slime Life, or YSL, gang. In 2022, they were indicted alongside rapper Young Thug (real name Jeffery Williams) and 25 others. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis indicted the individuals under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Many of the indicted individuals accepted plea deals before the trial began.
Kendrick’s legal team filed a motion for a directed verdict on all charges he faces on Wednesday. A directed verdict is a ruling entered by a judge after determining there is no legally sufficient evidence for a jury to reach a different conclusion.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker denied the motion for a directed verdict on most counts but granted it for counts 59, 60 and 62. The three counts are related to guns and drugs found during a search of Williams’ home.
“I do not believe that, even viewing in the light most favorable to the prosecution, there’s evidence upon a rational trier of fact could find the essential elements of possession of those particular items,” Whitaker said.
Whitaker’s ruling echoes the arguments Kendrick’s legal team presented in the legal filing.
“The State has simply presented no evidence of Mr. Kendrick’s possession, custody, or control of the weapons or drugs found. Without possession, there can be no conviction on these counts,” the defense wrote.
The defense also accused the state of “playing games.”
“This Honorable Court should not endorse such gamesmanship,” the defense said.
The prosecution rested its case on Tuesday after nearly a year of testimony. The defense decided not to call any witnesses, instead relying on the cross-examination of the state’s witnesses to prove its case.
The jury is expected to return for closing arguments on Thursday and begin deliberations.
The trial began with six co-defendants in January of 2023. Williams (Young Thug), Rodalius Ryan, Marquavius Huey and Quamarvious Nichols accepted plea deals last month.
On October 31, Williams accepted a non-negotiated plea deal, which is entered when prosecutors and defense cannot reach an agreement on the sentence. Brian Steel, Williams’ attorney, said they could not agree on the conditions the state was requiring.
The state recommended a sentence of 25 years in prison and 20 years of probation.
Williams pleaded guilty to most of the counts he was charged with but pleaded no contest to conspiracy to violate the RICO Act and participation in criminal street gang activity.
Whitaker sentenced Williams to five years in prison, commuted to time served and 15 years on probation, followed by 20 years in prison. The backloaded prison sentence will be commuted if Williams complies with the terms of his probation.
Williams was released from prison later that night.
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