Young Thug’s defense attorney found himself in hot water on June 10th, as accusations flew regarding a clandestine meeting between a Georgia judge, prosecutors, and a crucial witness in the rapper’s ongoing racketeering trial. Brian Steel, the legal representative for Young Thug, now faces a penalty of spending the next 10 weekends behind bars due to being held in contempt. This ruling came from Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville after Steel raised concerns over an alleged improper meeting involving Kenneth Copeland, a significant figure connected to Young Thug’s case.
According to reports, Steel asserted that Copeland was coerced with the threat of imprisonment for the duration of the trial if he maintained his refusal to testify and cooperate. This alleged disclosure prompted Copeland to take the stand on Monday. Steel argued that such actions constituted coercion, witness intimidation, and unauthorized communication, which should have been subject to the presence of all concerned parties, as constitutionally mandated.
Upon questioning by Glanville about the source of his information, Steel cited attorney-client confidentiality and “work product” privilege, declining to divulge specifics. Dissatisfied with Steel’s response, Glanville ruled him in criminal contempt and ordered his immediate arrest. Steel now faces a 20-day stint in Fulton County Jail, scheduled to commence from Friday, June 14th, until Sunday, August 18th.
Young Thug been held in jail since 2018
In May 2022, Jeffrey Lamar Williams, known by his stage name Young Thug, aged 32, was apprehended on two counts of conspiracy to contravene the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), alongside a charge of involvement in criminal street gang activity. The RICO accusation relates to purported events in January 2013, while the criminal street gang activity charge is linked to an alleged occurrence in May 2018.
