In a dramatic twist in the RICO case against rapper Young Thug, his attorney, Keith Steel, was held in contempt of court. The tense moment was captured on camera as Steel removed his jacket and was taken into custody. You can watch this intense exchange on Live Now from Fox as we explore its impact on the case unfolding in Atlanta, Georgia.
The incident occurred after the judge warned Steel that he had five minutes to reconsider his stance or face contempt charges. Upon the judge’s return, Steel refused to disclose how he obtained information discussed in the judge’s private chambers.
“I was told, based upon information and belief, that when we arrived at 8:30, 9:00 today, we did not come into your courtroom until almost 11:30,” Steel explained. “And what I found out just recently, this is not hearsay, is that supposedly in chambers, this honorable court, honorable court reporter, at times district attorney or district attorneys for the DA’s office, as well as investigators, sheriff’s deputies, Mr. Copeland and his counsel, met together. None of the defense team, to my knowledge, was aware that this was going on, and then somehow that email was cc’d to me.”
The judge interrupted, expressing concern over the ex parte communication. “Mr. Steel, can I interrupt you just a second? I’m kind of disturbed because that’s ex parte. All that was an ex parte conversation. How did you find out about any of that?”
“Well, I’m disturbed too,” Steel replied. “What I was told was that Mr. Copeland said—”
“You haven’t answered my question yet,” the judge interrupted.
“I’m not going to answer that question,” Steel responded.
“You’re not?” the judge asked.
“No, I will not answer that question,” Steel confirmed.
“Why will you not answer that question?” the judge pressed.
“Because I want to make sure that what I say is accurate, and I’m not trying to get anybody else in trouble,” Steel explained.
“I’m asking you how you got this information,” the judge insisted.
“I’m not telling the court,” Steel stated. “What I’m saying is based on information.”
“Okay, well listen, if you don’t tell me how you got this information, then you and I are going to have some problems,” the judge warned.
Stay tuned as we continue to follow this developing story.
“We can have problems, just like I’m having right now,” Steel retorted. “It concerns me that you possess proprietary information you shouldn’t have. That was ex parte. Why with a party? Why the state of Georgia? What about the witness? What about Mr. Copeland, who supposedly announced he’s not testifying and will sit for two years, and then this honorable court—or excuse me, let me rephrase that—this court supposedly said, ‘I can hold you until the end of this trial.’ Ms. Hilton supposedly said, ‘All of the defendants and all 26 people are disposed of.’ If that’s true, this is coercion, witness intimidation, and ex parte communications that we have a constitutional right to be present for.”
“Sir, I’m going to hold you in contempt if you don’t tell me who gave you this information,” the judge ordered.
“I don’t want to be held in contempt. I’m not answering that question. That’s attorney-client privilege information,” Steel argued.
“It is not attorney-client privilege unless you were in my chambers. That’s the only way you could know,” the judge countered.
“I am telling you—” Steel began.
“I’ll tell you what. I’m going to give you five minutes. If you don’t tell me who it is, I’m going to hold you in contempt,” the judge warned.
“Take Mr. Steel into custody, please,” the judge commanded.
“Yes, sir, you certainly may. Mr. Williams does not wish to proceed without me being here. You are removing me against his will and mine. You’re taking away his right to counsel, and you’re conducting critical parts of this trial without me present. I can’t learn about it by watching online. So for that reason, I ask for a mistrial, and I assume you’ll deny it, but I’d like you to deny our motions for mistrial.”
“I’ve denied your motion, but I’ll certainly take that under advisement,” the judge concluded.
Young Thug’s courtroom saga reads more like a gripping thriller than a mere legal battle. With serious RICO charges looming, every twist and turn has the intensity of a blockbuster movie. From startling testimonies to unforeseen developments, each chapter unfolds with cinematic flair, delving deeper into the chaos surrounding this iconic figure in rap. The sheer unpredictability keeps us on edge, eagerly awaiting the next bombshell. So brace yourselves for some of the most sensational moments from Young Thug’s ongoing legal odyssey, proving that reality often outshines fiction.
Let’s start with a moment that sparked widespread buzz in October 2022. Gunna, a prominent artist linked with YSL, faced the court for his third bail attempt. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation as the judge delivered the verdict: no bail for Gunna once again. The disappointment rippled through the courtroom, with audible gasps and murmurs echoing in disbelief. Judge Ural Glanville’s stern demeanor cut through the tension, cautioning the emotional spectators. His warning was clear: any disruption and he’d have the offenders detained on the spot. This tense standoff highlighted the high stakes and the impassioned support for Gunna among his circle.
“But at this point in time, I don’t find any change in circumstances that would allow me to change my decision regarding bond. And if anybody in the gallery can’t control themselves or makes any inappropriate comments, then you can leave now. No harm will come, but if you remain in this courtroom and make any outburst, I’ll have you arrested.”
In another astonishing courtroom moment, straight out of a surreal storyline, December 2022 saw Young Thug’s long-awaited return since his May arrest. His legal team aimed to challenge evidence from a prior arrest, seeking its dismissal. Yet the scene took an unexpected twist during attempts to set up a Zoom call for additional attorneys. Suddenly, a startling video burst onto the screen, boldly proclaiming “Free Young Thug” for all to witness in the courtroom. The unexpected intrusion threw officials into a frenzy as they scrambled to swiftly quell the unauthorized broadcast. This incident injected a jaw-dropping twist into the already tumultuous narrative of Young Thug’s trial.
“Something happened in court that you don’t usually see, and maybe thank goodness you don’t usually see it, because there was this pre-trial hearing for Young Thug about evidence suppression—which we’ll get into in a second—when suddenly, a video popped up on all the court screens. I believe this was during a Zoom session with other attorneys. The court was experiencing technical difficulties earlier, but I don’t think anyone expected a guy to pop up with a message that said ‘Free Young Thug.'”
The plot thickened in December 2022 with a new shocking twist. Fresh out of jail, Gunna was seen in court accepting a plea deal. Cameras caught him nodding in agreement as the prosecutor stated that YSL was both a music label and a criminal organization. “YSL is a music label and a gang, and you have personal knowledge that members or associates have committed crimes in furtherance of the gang,” said the prosecutor. Gunna calmly replied, “Yes, ma’am.” Shortly after, he was released on an Alford plea to a racketeering charge connected to the YSL RICO case. Gunna’s lawyer, Steve Sadow, stressed that his client had not implicated Young Thug or other YSL members in the deal. This added yet another layer to the ongoing legal drama surrounding YSL.
“The deal that set Gunna free is a major development in a significant racketeering case. The Atlanta-born rapper Gunna, whose real name is Sergio Kitchens, made a deal with prosecutors and walked out of the Fulton County Jail this afternoon. Now, Gunna will not have to stand trial early next year with rapper Young Thug and more than two dozen other defendants accused of being part of a racketeering conspiracy. But Gunna wants everyone to know that while he did make a deal with prosecutors, he will not have to testify against any of the others.”
In January 2023, during jury selection, the courtroom was thrown into chaos by a shocking incident involving Young Thug and co-defendant Adams. Captured on camera, Adams discreetly handed a Percocet to Thug, who was seated with his attorney. When deputies intervened, Thug immediately gave up the pill. The situation escalated when deputies found more contraband on Adams, including Percocet and tobacco cleverly hidden among food seasonings to mask the smell. This brazen act added another sensational twist to the high-stakes YSL trial.
“What happened? This is video we received from court. Look at the part we highlighted. You see the man walking up? Watch for this exchange right there. According to the court motion, Young Thug’s fellow defendant Khalif Adams passed a Percocet to Young Thug disguised as a handshake. That happened right in front of the entire courtroom. Adams is serving a life sentence. Right after that, court documents say law enforcement immediately moved in to search Adams, who resisted. But once they searched him, they found more contraband, including Percocet and tobacco, all wrapped in plastic and food seasonings to mask the smell.”
Another startling development occurred during the YSL RICO trial in April 2023. Judge Glanville sentenced a prospective juror, identified as Juror 2004, to three days in jail for filming the proceedings, a serious breach of courtroom rules. Despite her claim that she deleted the video immediately, authorities found it in her phone’s recently deleted folder. She pleaded ignorance, citing her first jury duty and unawareness of the filming prohibition. However, Judge Glanville was firm, emphasizing the importance of following courtroom rules by imposing the jail sentence. This incident highlighted the seriousness of courtroom decorum and added another twist to the ongoing legal drama.
Legal Proceedings and Courtroom Incidents
Contempt Proceedings
“Legal proceedings as to why you should not be held in willful contempt for violating the court’s admonitions against improper jury behavior, specifically live streaming the jury selection process on Friday, March 17th, 2023. Do you recall that? I’m going to include that as a copy of the next court exhibit to ensure you’re aware of the notice we gave you. At this point, why shouldn’t I hold you in willful contempt?”
Arrest of Defense Attorney
In April 2023, the YSL trial took a chaotic turn when defense attorney Anastacio Manettas, representing YSL co-defendant Miles Farley (aka Lil Miles), was arrested in the courthouse. Manettas faced charges for bringing unauthorized prescription pills into the courthouse and assaulting an officer. He was found with pills not in their original container inside the courtroom. The situation escalated when he threw his cell phone at a deputy, leading to his immediate arrest. His charges included possession of unauthorized pills, obstruction of justice, and battery against a law enforcement officer. As a result, Judge Glanville separated Miles Farley from the ongoing YSL trial, scheduling a separate trial date for him. This left 13 defendants, including Young Thug, to continue facing racketeering charges without Farley. The arrest of Manettas for such serious offenses added an unexpected layer of complexity to the trial.
Media Report
“Let me tell you, it all unfolded this morning inside the courthouse. During a security checkpoint, deputies arrested defense attorney Anastacio Manettas. He was charged with two counts of possession of prescription drugs not in their original container. We’re not sure if they were his prescriptions; we’re still working to find that out. He was also arrested on one count of obstruction and one count of simple battery on a law enforcement officer. More on that in a moment.”
Zoom Bombing Incident
On January 10, 2024, during the 17th day of the YSL trial in Georgia’s Fulton County Superior Court, a Zoom bomber made a startling appearance. As proceedings were nearing a lunch break and broadcast live on the Law and Crime Network, a voice suddenly pierced the courtroom, chanting, “Free Thug, mistrial. Free Thug, mistrial.” The unexpected interruption echoed twice before Judge Glanville called for a recess to regain order. This brief yet impactful incident added a new dimension to the ongoing legal saga, intertwining digital intrusion with the intense drama unfolding in the courtroom.
“Free Thug, mistrial. Free Thug, mistrial.”
Celebrity Involvement
In an unexpected turn during the Young Thug YSL RICO trial, NBA superstar LeBron James found himself indirectly involved. On January 11, the 18th day of proceedings, shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), a noteworthy moment featured YSL co-founder Travis “Tick” Stevens under questioning by defense attorney Brian Steel. The conversation took an intriguing twist when Stevens was asked about a video showing LeBron James performing a “slime handshake” with a teammate from the Los Angeles Lakers—a gesture sometimes associated with gang culture. Stevens clarified that LeBron customizes handshakes for each teammate, recalling an instance where James used the slime handshake with one player. Steel’s questioning seemed aimed at demonstrating that such gestures, even when performed by someone like LeBron James, should not imply gang affiliation. Adding to the courtroom’s tension, Steel broadened his inquiry to include Serena Williams, referencing a viral moment where she performed a “Crip Walk” dance after winning gold in tennis singles at the 2012 Olympics. Stevens lightened the mood with a humorous remark, “I don’t watch tennis,” amid the trial’s serious atmosphere. This exchange underscored the complexities of interpreting gestures and affiliations within the trial’s context.
“Mr. Stevens, do you recognize the person who was walking around in Mr. Williams’ number 15A?”
“Yes.”
“Who is that person?”
“LeBron James.”
“Did you see him do something with his hand similar to what is shown in Mr. Williams’ number 15?”
“Yes.”
“What did he do with his hand?”
“He wiped his nose.”
“Is that similar to what’s mentioned in the indictment against Mr. Williams—”
“Objection.”
“Is it the same?”
“Objection—”
“Overruled.”
“Is the act of wiping his nose, as shown in the indictment and the exhibits, considered an overt act in Count 1?”
“Yes.”
“So, Mr. James did the same thing?”
“Objection—”
In a surreal moment during the marathon Young Thug YSL trial on March 19, 2024, witness Adrian Bean made an unexpected admission during his testimony. He candidly declared, “I’m so high right now, y’all. I’m about to go to sleep on y’all. I ain’t going to tell a lie.” Lead prosecutor Adrian Love quickly offered Bean a bottle of water to help him manage, while Judge Ural Glanville reassured him of an upcoming break. Young Thug’s lawyer, Brian Steel, checked if Bean needed a moment to compose himself, but Bean insisted, “Let’s keep the ball rolling.” This incident added another layer of unpredictability to the trial, highlighting the series of unexpected events that have characterized its proceedings.
“Man, let me tell you. Water. I’m so high right now, y’all. I’m about to go to sleep on y’all. I ain’t going to tell a lie.”
And there you have it. The Young Thug YSL trial has unfolded like a thrilling roller coaster ride, packed with moments ranging from shockingly serious to downright surreal. From filmed drug exchanges to attorneys caught smuggling contraband, surprise celebrity references, and witnesses confessing to being high on the stand, this trial has delivered drama in abundance. What lies ahead? Will this legal saga soon conclude, potentially freeing Young Thug, or is there more time behind bars in his future? We’re eager to hear your thoughts and predictions. Share your take in the comments below.
