Lengthy Trial Raises Concerns as Jurors Face Challenges
The ongoing YSL RICO trial involving Young Thug has been plagued by complications, and a recent blunder by prosecutors may lead to a mistrial.
Judge Paige Reese Whitaker hinted at the possibility of granting a mistrial without prejudice due to a new error made by the prosecution. This would mean the trial would end, but the state could potentially file a new case in the future.
The issue arose when state witness Wunnie Lee took the stand and was asked to read an Instagram post to the jury. The original post included the hashtag #FreeQua, which refers to Thugger's co-defendant, Marquavius Huey, who is currently incarcerated.
The hashtag was redacted in the version of the IG post shown to the jury, but Lee was presented with the unredacted version. When he read the hashtag aloud, his attorney, Nicole Westmoreland, immediately requested a mistrial.
Westmoreland argued that it would be impossible to undo the damage caused by the revelation, as the jury is not allowed to know that Huey or another co-defendant, Quamarvious Nichols, is incarcerated.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges and complexities of the YSL RICO trial, which has been underway for nearly a year.
