Young Thug, YSL Trial Day 20: Use of gang signs debated in court

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - The trial of Young Thug and his YSL co-defendants began its 20th day with more testimony from witnesses in a Fulton County courtroom.

For the last few days, the trial has centered around the cross-examinations of Trontavious Stephens, a co-founder of YSL and a friend of the Atlanta rapper whose testimony. Stephens, also known as "Tick" and "Slug," has been answering questions from the prosecution about his connection with the YSL organization, his plea deal, and possible gang connections.

In Monday's hearing, Snoop Dogg's Super Bowl performance, LeBron James, and other celebrities took center stage as the defense continued to question Stephens about the use of what the prosecution has called gang signs used by Young Thug and his co-defendants.

The defense says these allusions to gang culture are prevalent in rap and played a clip from Snoop Dogg at the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show as evidence that the signs do not prove any affiliation with actual gangs.

During the performance, Snoop Dogg did the "crip walk" dance while wearing a blue bandanna print outfit, which is the color associated with the California-based street gang.

Previously, Young Thug's attorney Brian Steel showed tennis superstar Serena Williams doing the same dance.

Stephens also discussed the moniker of Young Thug, which he claimed stood for "Truly Humble Under God."

Court broke before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and is expected to resume at 10 a.m., with testimony continuing by 10:30 a.m.

What are the charges Young Thug faces?

A Fulton County grand jury indicted Young Thug in May 2022, and more charges were added in a subsequent indictment in August of that year. The second indictment accuses Young Thug and 27 other people of conspiring to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO. The rapper is also accused of participation in criminal street gang activity, as well as drug and gun charges.

Prosecutors say Young Thug and two other people co-founded a violent criminal street gang in 2012 called Young Slime Life, or YSL, which they say is associated with the national Bloods gang. The indictment says Young Thug "made YSL a well-known name by referring to it in his songs and on social media."

In addition to specific charges, the August indictment includes a wide-ranging list of 191 acts that prosecutors say were committed between 2013 and 2022 as part of the alleged conspiracy to further the gang’s interests.

Included in that list is an allegation that Young Thug threatened in July 2015 to shoot a security guard who was trying to get him to leave an Atlanta-area mall. The indictment also says Young Thug rented a silver Infiniti sedan that was used in the killing of a rival gang member. And, on numerous occasions, he and others are alleged to have possessed various illegal drugs that they intended to distribute.

What do Young Thug's defense lawyers say?

Young Thug’s lawyers have said in multiple court filings that he is innocent of all crimes charged in the indictment. They argue that YSL is simply a record label. The rapper has pleaded not guilty.

Multiple defense attorneys in the case have said prosecutors were overzealous in their use of the RICO statute and the anti-gang law, both of which carry heavy penalties.

Who else is charged in the Young Thug YSL RICO trial?

Rapper Gunna, whose given name is Sergio Kitchens, was charged with a single count of racketeering conspiracy. He entered an Alford plea in December, which means he maintains his innocence but recognizes that it’s in his best interest to plead guilty.

During Gunna’s plea hearing, the rapper responded, "Yes, ma’am" when a prosecutor said that "YSL is a music label and a gang" and that he had knowledge that its members or associates had committed crimes in furtherance of the gang.

The other two people accused of co-founding the YSL gang — Walter Murphy and Trontavious Stephens — were also charged. They each pleaded guilty in December to one count of conspiracy to violate the anti-racketeering law.

The remaining defendants are Marquavius Huey, Deamonte "Yak Gotti" Kendrick, Quamarvious Nichols, Rodalius Ryan and Shannon Stillwell. 

What penalties does Young Thug face if he's convicted?

Young Thug’s racketeering conspiracy charge and two gang charges each carry a penalty of five to 20 years in prison. The other five charges also carry potential prison time.

The Associated Press contributed to this report