After an hours-long hearing Young Thug, legal name Jeffrey Williams, was denied bond. Judge Ural D. Glanville made the decision on Thursday (June 2). His trial date has been scheduled for January 9, 2023.
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Complex reports that the judge cited concerns about witnesses being threatened or harmed, which led Thug’s bond being denied. The rapper watched the hearing remotely from Cobb County Jail. Prosecutors first argued that Thug’s lawyer Brian Steel should be removed from the case due to an alleged conflict of interest.
“I have been with Mr. Williams countless days, weeks, months and hours. I know his entire life. You want to talk about representation of a client? That is the bond of an attorney-client relationship,” Steel said in court, according to The New York Times culture reporter Joe Coscarelli. Steel was ultimately allowed to remain as Thug’s attorney, and requested for his client to be released on bond in addition to home confinement.
Moreover, record executive/300 Entertainment co-founder Kevin Liles appeared at Thug’s bond hearing saying, “I’m willing to back him personally and professionally.” Machine Gun Kelly was also among the people who provided videos to the court in favor of Thug’s bond. Prosecutors initially accused the rapper of being the head and founder of the Young Slime Life street gang, arguing that his lyrics are based on real life situations.
Williams was charged with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act in a 56-count indictment. Gunna, Yak Gotti, YSL Duke, and other rappers have also been included in the indictment. Williams was arrested on May 9 after his home in Atlanta was raided by authorities.
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