Young Thug RICO trial finally ends with acquittals for Yak Gotti and Shannon Stillwell

The long-running RICO trial involving rapper Young Thug ended on December 3, 2024, with the acquittal of the two remaining co-defendants, Yac Gotti and Shannon Stilwell. The trial, the longest in Georgia state history, lasted several months. Yak Gotti was acquitted of all six charges he faced, a decision that brought palpable relief. After the verdict was read, Gotti reportedly made the sign of the crossOr and embraced his attorney, Doug Weinstein, another co-defendant, Hannon Stilwell, was convicted of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon but acquitted of six other charges, including He was convicted for his involvement in the fatal 2015 drive-by shooting of Donovan Thomas Jr. spent time with probation and hinted at a sense of closure in a heartfelt hug with his lawyer, Max Schardt.. Both men were originally affiliated with the Young Thugs and were involved in gang-related activities under investigation, including charges related to the 2015 shooting of Thomas. Stillwell’s case, the 2022 murder of Shemel Drinks. The trial began in November 2023, after a lengthy 10-month jury selection process. After closing arguments, the jury deliberated for more than 15 hours, reaching a verdict just before Thanksgiving.. The case was marred by complications, including the arrest (later dropped) of Young Thug’s defense attorney, Brian Steele, on contempt charges. Additionally, Fulton County Judge Ural Glanville was removed from the case after misbehaving in a secret meeting with a key witness, with Judge Paige Reese Whittaker taking over.