YSL Trial Ends Without a Single Murder Conviction: What It Means for Georgia’s RICO Prosecutions

JB Quinnon
Jun 5
2 min read

YSL Trial Ends Without a Single Murder Conviction: What It Means for Georgia’s RICO Prosecutions

After more than two years of courtroom battles, headline-grabbing indictments, and intense scrutiny from the legal and entertainment worlds alike, the sweeping RICO case against Young Slime Life (YSL) has officially closed — without a single murder conviction.

A High-Profile Beginning

The YSL case began in May 2022 when Fulton County prosecutors unveiled a sprawling 65-count indictment implicating 28 defendants. The charges included murder, racketeering, armed robbery, and drug trafficking, aimed at dismantling what authorities described as a violent criminal street gang operating in and around Atlanta.

At the center of the case was Atlanta rapper Jeffery Williams, better known as Young Thug. Prosecutors alleged he co-founded YSL and used his fame to further criminal operations. Williams’ indictment drew national attention, especially as the state controversially used his lyrics and social media posts as evidence of criminal intent — a move that sparked heated debates around freedom of speech and artistic expression.

A Case That Crumbled Over Time

Despite its explosive start, the YSL case gradually lost momentum. Over the next two years, many of the defendants accepted plea deals on lesser charges. These included racketeering, drug offenses, and firearms possession, but not murder.

In October 2024, Young Thug himself took a plea deal, admitting guilt to several charges, including gang activity and drug possession. He was sentenced to 15 years of probation and is banned from living in metro Atlanta for the next 10 years.

The final two defendants — Deamonte Kendrick, a rapper known as Yak Gotti, and Shannon Stillwell — went to trial and were acquitted in December 2024 of all major charges, including murder, racketeering, and gang activity. Stillwell was found guilty only of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and received a 10-year sentence, with credit for time already served.

Fallout and Controversy

The case, led by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, faced criticism for its broad use of Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Critics argued the case was overcharged and relied too heavily on circumstantial evidence such as song lyrics and social media content.

Despite the lack of murder convictions, Willis’ office points to the broader success of its anti-gang initiative, noting that more than 400 gang-related convictions have been secured across various cases.

Still, the YSL trial — now the longest in Georgia’s history — has left lasting questions in its wake. How should prosecutors balance aggressive anti-gang strategies with defendants’ constitutional rights? Is the use of rap lyrics in court a fair tactic, or a cultural bias disguised as evidence?

The Bigger Picture

As the dust settles, the YSL case stands as a complex example of modern prosecutorial ambition, the growing role of social media in legal proceedings, and the legal system’s evolving relationship with Black art and culture.

Whether it was a necessary crackdown or an overreach that missed its mark, one fact is clear: this trial has reshaped how RICO cases — and rappers — are viewed in Georgia and beyond.