Young Thug RICO Trial: Judge Whitaker criticizes prosecution for 'throwing the case together'
Judge accuses the prosecution of disorganization as she evaluates a mistrial motion in Young Thug's ongoing RICO trial
Pop Culture & Art |
October 01, 2024
In a fiery moment during Young Thug's ongoing RICO trial, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker sharply criticized the state's handling of the case, accusing the prosecution of prolonging and complicating the trial.
On the trial’s 138th day, Judge Whitaker addressed the prosecution's unclear approach, stating, "It is baffling to me that somebody with the number of years of experience that you have, time after time after time, continues to seemingly purposefully hide the ball to the extent that you possibly can for as long as you possibly can." Her remarks followed a new motion for a mistrial, heavily advocated for by Young Thug's defense team throughout the trial.
Judge Whitaker's takedown continued as she voiced her frustration with the prosecution's alleged disorganization.
"After a certain number of times, you start to wonder how it could be anything but that," she remarked. "Unless it is just that you are so unorganized that you are throwing this case together as you try it."
Despite Whitaker’s sharp rebuke, the motion for mistrial was ultimately denied after a short recess.
Young Thug’s defense team, led by attorney Brian Steel, noted that this issue has persisted long before Whitaker took over the case.
Whitaker, however, expressed hope that the mishandling of the case was due to "poor lawyering" rather than intentional misconduct.
Earlier in the day, Whitaker warned Love about disclosing evidence to the court and defense attorneys in a timely manner after new discovery materials were shared that morning.
“Can you do that from now on without me having to beg you to do that?” Whitaker asked, to which Love replied, "Your honor, the court does not have to beg me for anything."
As the trial continues into next year, with the state still having around 100 witnesses left to call, Whitaker has ordered prosecutors to undergo training on sharing evidence with defense attorneys.
Young Thug, born Jeffery Williams, remains in jail as he faces accusations of being the cofounder of Young Slime Life, which prosecutors allege is a violent street gang in south Atlanta.
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