On Tuesday, a jury found the final two defendants not guilty of murder and gang-related counts in Atlanta’s protracted gang and racketeering trial, which resulted in rapper Young Thug entering a guilty plea in October.
Rapper Yak Gotti, whose real name is Deamonte Kendrick, was exonerated of all charges, while Shannon Stillwell was convicted of just possessing a firearm. In a trial marred by issues, the judgments were rendered a year after opening remarks and almost two years after jury selection started.
Song lyrics and social media posts were cited as evidence in the initial, broad indictment, which accused 28 individuals of conspiring to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Grammy-winning musician Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffrey Williams, was released.
