On Thursday, defense attorney Brian Steel informed the judge that Young Thug, also known as Jeffery Williams, dictated the “not guilty” tweet to a friend who manages his social media accounts, using a recorded jail line, after the prosecution mentioned the tweet during a hearing in Georgia.
In his ongoing criminal case, prosecutors contended that the tweet served as proof that Williams was communicating unhindered with the external world while being held in a Cobb County jail. Consequently, they claimed it presented a possible danger to witnesses.
Defense attorneys are required to delay the sharing of specific “confidential” evidence with their clients in the lawsuit until November 25th. This decision was made by Fulton County Judge Ural Glanville, who sided with the prosecutors and approved their request, despite Steel’s strong opposition.
In May of last year, Williams and his fellow rapper Gunna found themselves incarcerated after the shocking 88-page RICO indictment was issued. This indictment, which lies at the heart of the Young Slime Life – a street gang associated with the Bloods and led by Williams – has been presented by the prosecutors. The indictment accuses over twenty-five defendants of engaging in a wide range of racketeering offenses, including robbery, drug trafficking, and murder.
YSL, a group of criminals rather than a music collective, is being accused and found guilty without having pleaded. Sergio is the actual name of one of the members, while Gunna and Williams are also part of the crew.
The defense attorney’s ability to build a case for his client would be seriously harmed if the trial date of January 25th, called an “arbitrary” early set date for discovery, is delayed.
During the televised interview on 11Alive, Steel mentioned, “It is not only suitable…But I would also be unable to disclose this information if I were to lose my job, which may happen in the next two and a half months.”
He did not possess a mobile phone; it was further verified that his cell was examined by the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, revealing that he was “isolated by himself” as stated by his client. Phelps stated that it had been determined that the call from jail was being monitored closely, and he had been investigated by the Sheriff’s Office. Steel Williams was insistent that he does not pose a threat and can only communicate with friends and family over a heavily monitored jail phone line.
Steel expressed in the tweet, “That was a harmless – that’s nothing negative.” The attorney contended, “That is unrelated to intimidation,” requesting someone to tweet at Michael Phelps, ‘Are you capable of swimming one hundred miles in the sea?'”
In this specific instance, the court had to “weigh the security and concerns of all other individuals” and Judge Glanville affirmed that it still demonstrated Williams’ “ability to interact with another person”.
The judge expressed, “At this moment, I may not alter my decision, but there is a possibility that I might change my perspective in the future.” The judge maintained the Nov. 25 deadline for the non-disclosure of confidential evidence to the defendants, but indicated that he would be willing to review this decision at a later point in time.