The longest criminal trial in Georgia ended with not guilty verdicts for two remaining co-defendants, Deamonte Kendrick and Shannon Stillwell, in a racketeering case involving rap superstar Young Thug. The case included charges of murder, conspiracy to violate RICO, and more. The 12 jurors deliberated for a week and found Kendrick not guilty and Stillwell not guilty except for one felony firearm charge. The trial featured a total of 28 co-defendants, although some took plea deals, including Young Thug. The trial, which started in January 2023, saw delays, unexpected turns, and controversies, including disruptions involving the judge and witnesses. During closing arguments, prosecutors claimed that the defendants were part of a criminal street gang using weapons on rivals and conspiracy to violate RICO. The defense argued against the gang conspiracy narrative presented by the prosecution. Ultimately, the state called over 175 witnesses while the defense for Stillwell and Kendrick called none. Young Thug, who cooperated with the state and took a plea deal, was released with a commuted sentence. Critics have accused the prosecution of targeting young Black hip-hop artists with the RICO law, arguing that they should be free to express themselves. The trial marked a new chapter in Georgia’s legal history, surpassing the previous longest criminal trial involving Atlanta public school educators in a cheating scandal.
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