The lawyer who represents Yak Gotti in the ongoing Young Thug and Young Stoner Life (YSL) RICO trial says that the legal proceedings could go on until 2027 if the court continues at this speed.
Attorney Doug Weinstein voiced the concern to Judge Ural Glanville in a motion which was filed on the same day that Adrian Bean, a prosecution witness, was excused from the stand. Bean spent a total of six days over a two-week period providing statements about a stolen vehicle and a police shooting that took place in September 2013, although much of his testimony heard him state that he doesn’t recall much of what happened. “As this Court has broad discretion to exercise reasonable control over the presentation of witnesses and evidence, the Court should use that discretion to prevent this trial from stretching into 2027,” Weinstein wrote.
“This is simply untenable for the remaining 15 jurors or the defendants who remain jailed and without bond,” the motion further read, “and the presentation of another 360 witnesses by the State would cause undue delay, would be a waste of time, and would amount to needless presentation of cumulative evidence.” Weinstein also called on the prosecution to provide a detailed witness list by April 15.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution further reports that of the prosecution’s 400-person witness list (which was already reduced from 700), only 53 have been called so far. The RICO case has set the record for the longest criminal trial in Georgia history — jury selection took place in early January 2023, but opening statements weren’t made until late November. So far, the trial’s official proceedings have taken place for only 45 days.
