YSL RICO case: Trial for 3 remaining defendants to be delayed until June

Trial delayed for three remaining YSL defendants

The final three young slime life co-defendants who were indicted in the sprawling Fulton County RICO indictment have had their trial delayed once again. Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitker made that decision on Friday after yet another issue popped up.

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - A pre-trial conference took place Friday morning in a Fulton County courtroom for the remaining 3 defendants in the YSL RICO (racketeering) case.

The morning began with Demise McMullen's attorney, Terrell Dark, attempting to withdraw from the case.

It appears that Dark requested to withdraw due to a personal issue related to a custody case. However, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker was not pleased with how he handled the request.

"I don't mean to be blasting your business, but you're the one who is making that required," said Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker.

At the previous pre-trial conference in January, Dark apparently informed Judge Whitaker that he expected to be in court for the another case in April. However, he did not mention at the time that this would negatively impact his ability to represent his YSL client.

"What I'm taking issue with is that you seemed to suggest that you had already alerted the court that the struggles you purport to be having, you had already told the court about that," Judge Whitaker said. "That is not true at all."

Judge Whitaker emphasized that she is trying to ensure that the defendants facing murder charges receive proper legal representation. She also noted that Dark had been informed in early December that the trial would begin in late February or early March.

"What I'm trying to do is make sure that people who are on trial for murder have the representation that they need," Judge Whitaker said.

Additionally, the judge pointed out that McMullen has already had several attorneys withdraw from the case and it would not benefit him to bring in a new attorney.

Despite her frustration, Judge Whitaker agreed to grant Dark’s request and suggested severing McMullen’s case, as she was not willing to delay the trial for the other two defendants.

After a brief break, Dark indicated that he could continue representing McMullen if the trial was delayed until June.

It now appears that jury selection will begin on June 9, with the trial starting sometime after the Fourth of July.

What happened before today

What we know:

The previous pre-trial conference on Jan. 17 started with a heated exchange when Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker clashed with attorneys for Christian Eppinger, Damekion Garlington and Demise McMullen over their lack of preparation for the upcoming trial.

The judge was also clearly annoyed at McMullen's attorney, Terrell Dark, who was scheduled to take an international trip in February even though the Fulton County District Attorney's Office had said repeatedly that it wanted the trial to start in February.

Eventually, it was agreed upon that jury selection will begin March 3. Judge Whitaker plans to call 400 potential jurors, aiming to avoid the 10-month selection process seen in the previous YSL trial. She also stated that the indictment reading would not be as lengthy as the four-hour process in prior proceedings.

What happened during the first trial?

The backstory:

The YSL RICO indictment was filed in 2022 against multiple defendants, including award-winning rapper Young Thug (real name Jeffery Williams), for alleged violations of Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and involvement in violent crimes. Many defendants, including rapper Gunna (real name Sergio Kitchens), accepted plea deals to avoid trial.

PREVIOUS:YSL RICO case: Prosecutors seek February trial for 5 remaining defendants

The first trial, which began in November 2023, endured significant disruptions, including illnesses, the arrests of a juror and lawyer, stabbings of two defendants, and motions for mistrial. Young Thug and three other defendants took plea deals in October 2024 and were released. Two remaining defendants, Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick (rapper Yak Gotti), were found not guilty of serious charges, including murder. Stillwell was released, but Kendrick remains in jail on other charges, with a hearing scheduled for February.

As the case against the final three defendants continues, prosecutors estimate the trial could last up to 90 days, though six weeks is a more likely timeline. Judge Whitaker remains firm on maintaining the trial schedule, underscoring her determination to ensure the case proceeds without further delays.