Young Thug’s defense suggests key witness Lil Woody may be linked to 2015 murder in RICO trial

Young Thug’s defense attorney, Brian Steel, used a highly anticipated cross-examination on Tuesday to cast doubt on key prosecution witness Kenneth “Woody” Copeland’s credibility, suggesting that Copeland, not Young Thug, might be responsible for the 2015 murder of Donovan “Nut” Thomas Jr.

The intense day of questioning took place during Young Thug’s ongoing gang and racketeering trial in Georgia, a case that has seen the Grammy-winning rapper, born Jeffery Williams, in jail for over two years.

Steel grilled Copeland on his past felony convictions, his self-proclaimed “gangster” persona, and his conflict with Thomas, which allegedly stemmed from Copeland stealing items from Thomas’ car shortly before Thomas was fatally shot in a drive-by outside an Atlanta barbershop in January 2015. 

The defense aimed to raise reasonable doubt among jurors about who actually killed Thomas, challenging the prosecution's narrative that Young Thug’s alleged gang, Young Slime Life (YSL), was responsible for the murder to consolidate power.

Though Williams is not directly charged with Thomas’ murder in the 65-count indictment, prosecutors allege that he is the leader of YSL, which they claim was involved in the crime. 

Copeland, who initially implicated Williams in a 2015 police interview, has since recanted, claiming he fabricated the story to secure a deal and avoid jail time. 

Steel highlighted these inconsistencies, accusing Copeland of lying to cover his own tracks.

The trial, which has already seen 75 witnesses testify and is expected to last well into next year, has become a significant point of contention in Georgia, with political figures like Courtney Kramer, a candidate for district attorney, calling for the dismissal of the case. 

Kramer criticized the prosecution’s handling of the trial, labeling it an “over prosecuted” and “utter waste of the court’s time.”

As the trial continues, the defense is expected to call additional witnesses in an effort to dismantle the prosecution's case against Young Thug and his co-defendants.