Young Thug, YSL RICO Trial: Attorneys Wrap Up Questioning Kenneth Copeland

FULTON COUNTY, GA. – UPDATE 5:00 PM: Kenneth Copeland testified that he was forced by the state to testify after he was granted immunity. He insisted that he was not trying to mislead the jury, but was simply telling the truth.

Copeland insisted he never saw Deamonte Kendrick (aka Yak Gotti), Shannon Stillwell or others harm Donovan “Nut” Thomas. He reiterated his refusal to act on behalf of the YSL gang, saying he did what he did to help himself.

During the state’s questioning, Copeland also admitted that he had informed Young Thug and others about the lies he had told during interviews, but that he apparently had not told them that he had implicated them in Thomas’ murder.

Copeland claimed that if Yak or Shannon Stillwell had confessed to killing Donovan “Nut” Thomas, he would have confessed now during his testimony.

The state also re-questioned Copeland about his involvement in a shooting at Rich Homie Quan’s father’s barbershop, implying that there was a connection to a feud between Thug and Quan. Copeland, however, denied any such motive, claiming that his actions were related to his friend “Threat” and had nothing to do with Young Thug.

During questioning, defense attorney Hylton repeatedly attempted to suggest that Copeland might now be lying, but Copeland continued to maintain that he often lied to police, but that he was now telling the truth.

The State eventually indicated that Copeland’s questioning was complete at that point and the defense was given the opportunity to re-question Copeland. This means that they could question Copeland again about matters that had come up during the re-questioning.

Defense attorney Max Schardt asked Copeland if he had received any benefits, such as charges being dropped, for his testimony. Copeland admits that he was once charged with Thomas’ murder, but those charges were dropped. Schardt also asks Copeland who he told his lies to, and Copeland says that he told them to Monk Tounk (Antonio Sledge) and Little Dee so that they could back him up if needed.

In his recross, defense attorney Brian Steel focused on the unusual nature of a private meeting on June 10 between Copeland, the judge and prosecutors. Copeland responded that he had never been in such a meeting during his previous arrests.

After 16 days on the stand, Copeland’s testimony ended Wednesday afternoon, though the state can recall him in the future if necessary.

The day ended with Judge Whitaker dismissing the jury and announcing that Antonio Sledge would testify the following morning. The state estimates that Sledge’s testimony will take about three hours, but the judge expects it could take all day.

Before the courtroom emptied, attorney Harvey argued for an instruction to the jury that Sledge’s guilty plea would not be used against others, citing case law to support his position.

The lawyers and defendants are expected to return to court at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, with the jury announced at 9 a.m.

UPDATE 12:30 PM: Copeland, also known as “Woody,” has once again expressed his regret for calling himself Young Thug. He said he was going through a difficult time in his life and that the birth of his daughter has given him a purpose in life.

He stressed that YSL is a record label and not a gang, and that he has never recorded a song with Young Thug.

The state played excerpts from an interview in which Woody represents YSL and makes statements about gang affiliations. Woody explained that he aspired to be a YSL performer and argued that the state’s characterization of YSL as a gang is misleading based on his understanding of Atlanta’s gang culture.

The state focused on determining which of Woody’s phones was his primary device and where it was located on the night of Donovan “Nut” Thomas’ murder, as this is central to their case.

The state also played a jailhouse call in which Young Thug allegedly talked about betrayal, but Woody claimed he manipulated those involved, including Thug, into believing false information.

When asked about a prison phone call from Thug’s sister reporting Nut’s murder, Woody denied it was a confession, but did name a number of people who others believe may have committed the murder.

Lunch break until 1:30 PM

UPDATE 10:30 AM: The court considered several evidentiary issues before the state’s former star witness, Kenneth “Lil Woody” Copeland, took the stand to re-examine the prosecution.

The day began with a discussion of issues regarding the state’s next witness, Antonio Sledge, and a delay caused by a late-arriving juror. When the juror arrived, Copeland was brought back to the stand, where prosecutor Hylton questioned the veracity of his recent testimony. Copeland told Hylton that while he lied in 2015, his recent testimony is the truth.

Hylton questioned Copeland’s credibility by reviewing a video from a few weeks ago in which Copeland claimed he could not read a rental car agreement related to the murder of Donovan Thomas.

Hylton then presented evidence from Copeland’s earlier plea agreement, in which he acknowledged that he could read and write English, suggesting that Copeland lied on the stand. Copeland responded by distinguishing between reading and understanding.

“Reading and understanding are two different things,” Copeland explains.

The session gained momentum when the discussion shifted to a leaked video of Copeland’s October 2021 interrogation.

Defense attorneys objected to Hylton’s inclusion of the video, arguing it was damaging.

Young Thug’s attorney, Brian Steel, claimed that the leak of the video harmed his client and questioned the defense’s involvement in its release. Steel also reiterated calls for prosecutors to dismiss Love and Hylton, saying the state was trying to provoke the defense into demanding a mistrial.

The state responded by saying it strongly opposes a new trial and argued that the state should be able to ask questions about the leaked video after Copeland was questioned about the video. He responded that he believed the state leaked the video to get his cooperation.

Attorney Max Schardt also asked about the investigation that Judge Glanville said would take place into the leaked video. Schardt also told the judge that he believes the state is trying to entice the defense to file for a mistrial.

The state responded by saying it “strongly objects to a new trial.”

Judge Whitaker warned the state against the questioning, but denied Steel’s request to dismiss the state prosecutors.

ORIGINAL STORY

The trial of Young Thug and his associates will resume Tuesday morning after a Labor Day break.

The prosecution wrapped up its case with former key witness Kenneth “Lil Woody” Copeland last week, giving the defense team the opportunity to question him.

Copeland repeatedly answered questions with “I don’t remember” and told the court and jury that he had lied during a 2015 interrogation in which police attempted to link Young Thug (real name Jeffery Williams) and his accomplices to several crimes, including the murder of Donovan “Nut” Thomas.

Last week, the defense questioned Copeland extensively about his relationship with Thomas. The defense gave the jury the idea that Copeland may have been responsible for Thomas’ death.

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During last week’s testimony, Copeland also accused the prosecution of leaking a video of the police interrogation to the media in an attempt to pressure him to cooperate with the state. He testified that he sought legal counsel because the video made him look like a “snitch.”

Copeland has admitted to involvement in the September 2014 shooting at the barbershop of rapper Rich Homie Quan’s father, Corey Lamar.

The prosecution is expected to begin re-sentencing Copeland on Tuesday morning.

Young Thug’s trial is now the longest in Georgia history, with jury selection alone taking 10 months, and the trial itself set to begin on November 27, 2023. The previous record for longest trial in Georgia was the 2014-15 Atlanta Public Schools cheating trial, which involved teachers and administrators.

Young Thug and 27 others were indicted in 2022 for violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and committing multiple violent crimes. After the longest jury selection in history (10 months), the trial for Young Thug and several co-defendants began in November 2023. It is now the longest trial in Georgia history. Prosecutors are attempting to prove that YSL (Young Slime Life) is a criminal street gang responsible for numerous crimes, including murder. The defendants claim that YSL stands for Young Stoner Life and is the name of a record label founded by Young Thug. Young Thug faces eight criminal charges. The trial has been plagued by various disruptions, including illnesses, the arrest of a juror and an attorney, the stabbing of defendant Shannon Stillwell, the resignation of the judge originally assigned to the case, and more.