Young Thug’s trial resumes after two months with associate’s testimony

After a nearly two-month hiatus and a rotating cast of judges, the longest trial in Georgia’s history resumed Monday with Kenneth “Lil Woody” Copeland testifying in the racketeering case against rapper Young Thug.
Copeland, Young Thug’s former associate and a key witness for state prosecutors, spent several hours on the witness stand in Atlanta court, often replying “I don’t recall” to the prosecution’s questioning, according to Fox 5 Atlanta and Rolling Stone. He also testified that he lied to investigators in 2015 to avoid jail time.
Copeland reportedly admitted he cast blame on Young Thug in interviews with police.
“In my mind, I knew the police would never go mess with him,” he said, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It was easy for me to try throw the blame off on him to get them off of me.”
Copeland, who was granted immunity, was arrested last month for refusing to testify. Both he and 32-year-old Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffrey Williams, have been in jail as they await trial proceedings. Besides Young Thug, five co-defendants are standing trial in the RICO case.
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Superior Court Judge Paige Whitaker is now overseeing the case after Chief Judge Ural Glanville was removed from the case and Superior Court Judge Shakura L. Ingram recused herself days later last month.
Though Copeland also took the stand in June, most of his testimony has been stricken from the record. On Monday, Whitaker confirmed with jurors that they would be able to ignore testimony he gave after June 12, when the defense requested for the first judge to be recused.
According to Rolling Stone, Judge Whitaker previously said a mistrial might be declared if multiple jurors claimed they would not be able to “unhear” prior testimony.
Young Thug trial:Second judge recused from the RICO case within 3 days
On May 9, 2022, Young Thug was arrested as part of a sweeping investigation into a conspiracy to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, also known as RICO. He was accused of co-founding a violent criminal street gang, Young Slime Life, and following two indictments in May and August 2022 he now faces racketeering, drug and gun charges.
Jury selection began in January 2023, and the trial for the Grammy-winning rapper began 10 months later. The case has suffered multiple delays since November 2023.
Young Thug pleaded not guilty and has maintained his innocence. Several of the initial 28 defendants, including rapper Gunna, have entered plea deals since they were charged in 2022.
Prosecutors have reportedly told the judge they intend to call forth at least 100 more witnesses. More than 70 have reportedly taken the stand since the trial began.