Young Thug trial delayed further after judge removed

young-thug-trial-delayed-further-after-judge-removed
Young Thug trial delayed further after judge removed

The trial of rapper Young Thug has seen its judge replaced due to allegations of misconduct. The decision came after the artist’s lawyer, Brian Steel, was arrested mid-trial for alleged contempt of court last month. Steel was reportedly held in contempt for suggesting that Judge Ural Glanville, witness Kenneth Copeland, and prosecutors had had a conversation that intimidated or coerced Copeland ahead of taking the stand.

Copeland himself was held in contempt last week for suddenly refusing to testify despite being granted immunity. Steel has filed a motion accusing the judge of holding an “improper” meeting without including defendants and their attorneys. He has requested Glanville to be replaced with another judge to oversee the trial. Meanwhile, Glanville has announced that he would provide a transcript of his meeting with Copeland, cancel the next hearing “indefinitely,” and send the attorney’s motions to recuse to another judge.

Young Thug was arrested in May 2022 on gang-related charges and was later charged with seven additional felonies. He was arrested alongside fellow rapper Gunna, both of whom are involved with the musical collective YSL (Young Stoner Life), which has been accused of being “a criminal street gang.” Both men have denied their charges, with Young Thug having his bail denied three times.

Young Thug’s case is notable for the use of his rap lyrics to accuse him of his YSL gang affiliation in trial. Using lyrics in criminal trials has been criticized as “a convenient way to inject racial bias and confusion into the criminal justice process.” However, the case also saw lawyers using Snoop Dogg’s Super Bowl performance to prove that Young Thug wasn’t in a gang

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