Latest news with #YoungSlimeLife
Black America Web
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Breaking Down The Facts, Charges, Witnesses and Alleged Victims Ahead Of Diddy's Jury Deliberations
Source: Paul Zimmerman / Getty The end of the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial is near. The prosecution has rested after calling more than 30 witnesses, including Diddy's ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. After settling a civil case with her ex for $20M alleging physical, psychological, and financial abuse, she testified to her experience in an abusive relationship punctuated by 'freak-offs' or nights of sexual activity with a series of sex workers while Diddy watched and masturbated. Other prosecution witnesses, including former employees Capricorn Clark and 'Mia,' a pseudonym for a former employee, and 'Jane Doe,' who also testified to what she called 'hotel nights' also with sex workers, provided that Combs was abusive in his intimate relationships and the workplace as well. The defense rested its case without calling a single witness. Despite these witnesses, is it enough to secure a conviction? Here's a breakdown of the charges, witnesses, and what's at stake for Combs and more. In the federal trial, Combs is facing one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison. On Wednesday morning, prosecutors moved to drop certain charges before the jury deliberates and issued further instructions. They want to drop certain aspects of the sex trafficking case. They will also drop any kidnapping and attempted arson charges stemming from testimony from former employees, including Clark, who alleged she was kidnapped, and from rapper Kid Cudi, whose car was torched while he was dating Ventura. What has been most debated are the racketeering conspiracy or RICO charges, which are generally used against large criminal enterprises, i.e., the Mafia. Before Combs' case, Young Thug is the most recent example of a rap mogul being indicted on RICO charges. It was alleged that Young Thug, born Jeffrey Lamar Williams, was using his Young Stoner Life record label as a front to commit crimes, including murder, and co-founded Young Slime Life, described as a 'criminal street gang.' He was indicted with 27 others in the case. Ultimately, he pleaded to lesser charges, was released in 2024, and is currently under 15 years' probation, which includes a 20-year sentence reinstatement if he violates the terms of his probation. No, Combs will not testify on his behalf. He told the judge he had 'thoroughly' discussed it with his lawyers and was making his own decision. When Judge Arun Subramanian asked Combs how he was feeling, Combs told him, 'I am doing great, thank you, your honor. You are doing an excellent job.' It would have to be Ventura, as she's the most public face of Combs' abusive behavior, including what was shown in the 2016 video obtained and shared by CNN before the trial. Ventura, who had her third child with husband Alex Fine two weeks after her appearance in court, testified to having 'hundreds' of freak-offs with multiple sex workers over their 10-year relationship. The abuse allegations were first revealed in a civil lawsuit in 2023, with Ventura providing times, dates, and locations of many of the encounters. During the trial, she also testified that her mother was forced to pay Combs $20K to keep the tapes from being revealed to the public. The money was later returned. 'Jane Doe,' who also testified to being forced into what she called 'hotel nights,' but her testimony may be undermined when it was revealed that Combs is paying her legal fees and her $10,000 rent. It was also revealed that despite her issues with Combs, they remain in a relationship. What about the RICO charges? Internet commenters and social media 'reporters' seem divided on whether or not the RICO charges will stick. However, they are not at the trial, watching and listening to daily testimony in its entirety, not just in soundbites. The jury has also seen the witnesses, while the public has not, as no cameras are allowed in the federal courtroom. They would have a better handle on who was credible, which witnesses they believed, and the legalities of the case based on instructions they would receive before deliberating. If you compare the RICO charges in the Young Thug case, Williams was accused of much more serious crimes and indicted with 27 others. While witnesses have testified that Diddy's former chief of staff, Kristina Khorrum facilitated the handoff of the hotel tape to Diddy in exchange for money and made sure Diddy never ran out of baby oil, she has denied any criminal wrongdoing or knowledge of criminal wrongdoing, has not been charged and was not called as a witness. That would undermine the conspiracy part of the RICO case, as a conspiracy usually requires co-conspirators. The judge will meet with lawyers on both sides on Wednesday to go over housekeeping, including final instructions for the jury. The jury should get the case on Thursday. Judge Subramanian says he believes the trial will wrap up by the July 4th holiday, if not sooner. The jury remains at eight men and four women after a Black male juror was dismissed, and a white male replaced him. Per AP, three jurors are under 40 and five are over 60. Most of the jury have college degrees, including a scientist with a Ph.D. And four jurors are from Westchester County, a suburb of New York City. Westchester County includes Mt. Vernon, where Combs grew up. SEE ALSO Breaking Down The Facts, Charges, Witnesses and Alleged Victims Ahead Of Diddy's Jury Deliberations was originally published on
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Atlanta PD chief reacts, judge defends YSL trial sentence as final defendant pleads guilty
Atlanta's police chief criticized the judge's ruling for Young Slime Life criminal street gang member Christian Eppinger. 'The sentence that we saw, it looks great on paper, but there is zero accountability in there. There is zero punishment,' Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum told Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Mark Winne. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis indicated the issue is that Eppinger's sentence of 40 years in prison plus 35 years of probation is to run at the same time as the 45-year sentence handed down previously by another judge in a probation revocation. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker defended the sentence as appropriate. Eppinger was the last remaining defendant in the YSL gang racketeering case. Among his charges was attempted murder in the shooting of Atlanta officer David Rodgers in February 2022. Rodgers was attempting to arrest Eppinger for armed robbery. The officer was shot six times but survived. 'He's angry,' Schierbaum said of Rodgers. 'I think he is surprised what happened in the courtroom of Fulton County, that this is the sentence given to someone that tried to take his life.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Whitaker told Winne by phone that her sentencing of Eppinger is by far the lengthiest sentence she has handed out in the massive YSL gang racketeering case. She also added that 'the safety of the community is a consideration in any sentence' she hands down, and this one will keep him behind bars for 40 years, a stiff sentence for a 25-year-old with one prior felony conviction. RELATED STORIES: Final defendant in YSL case pleads guilty Case of mistaken identity ends with young mother killed in alleged Atlanta gang shooting Young Thug says 'he's too big for jail' as he talks about life after incarceration, new music Whitaker said she worked as a prosecutor for more than 20 years, part of that time as colleagues with Willis before either was elected to their current offices. In crafting Eppinger's sentence in the YSL case, Whitaker said she considered that the lengthy probation revocation he was already serving was essentially already a punishment for the same crimes for which she sentenced him Monday. Fairness attorney Noah Pines said, 'There's no question that Judge Whitaker is tough on crime. She is a very fair judge, but she's a very tough judge when it comes to sentencing. There's not question about that.' Hylton said she played dashcam and bodycam video from Eppinger's shooting of Rodgers in the hearing Monday. Eppinger entered a non-negotiated guilty plea to attempted murder, RICO conspiracy and more as what's called an Alford plea, meaning he decided pleading guilty was in his best interest but he doesn't admit to the crimes. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
Final defendant in YSL case pleads guilty
The remaining defendant in the sweeping Young Slime Life gang RICO case pleaded guilty Monday to multiple charges. Christian Eppinger, also known as Big Bhris, entered into a non-negotiated plea that will not add prison time to what he was serving. He was sentenced to 75 years, with 40 to serve concurrently with his previous 45-year sentence. The charges stemmed from a number of crimes that occurred between 2016-22, including the attempted murder of APD Officer David Rodgers. Prosecutors said Eppinger shot Rodgers six times in 2022. Channel 2's Michael Seiden will have more on Channel 2 Action News at Noon. RELATED STORIES: Fulton County prosecutors ask to have Young Thug's probation revoked Prosecution rests after nearly year-long case against YSL YSL RICO jury returns to hear testimony after 2 remaining co-defendants refused plea offers Young Thug released from Fulton County Jail after non-negotiated plea in YSL trial Last public defender in YSL trial moves to withdraw as counsel, says she can't earn 'livable wage' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
CTV News
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Long-running Young Thug gang trial to end without any murder convictions
ATLANTA — Three years after Atlanta rapper Young Thug and 27 others were indicted on gang and racketeering charges, followed by a long, problem-plagued trial, nobody will be convicted of murder. When Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis announced the indictment in May 2022, she said her office was cracking down on a violent street gang responsible for multiple killings run by Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams. But Willis dropped the only remaining murder charge Monday after defendant Demise McMullen pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of aggravated assault. Young Thug went home Oct. 31 after pleading guilty to gang, drug and gun charges and remains on probation. Prosecutors alleged that Young Thug and two others founded the street gang Young Slime Life, which was associated with the Bloods street gang, in 2012. The 33-year-old artist has a record label called Young Stoner Life, which prosecutors alleged was tied to Young Slime Life. A long and controversial trial Prosecutors drew ire for using song lyrics and social media posts in their case. Attorney Doug Weinstein, who represented defendant Deamonte Kendrick, who raps under the name Yak Gotti, said prosecutors targeted men who pursued music as a way out of hardship in economically 'deprived' Atlanta areas and tried to 'claw them back in, hold them back down.' 'Whatever they may have done in their youth, and I would argue most of them didn't do anything, to be targeted in this way by the prosecutors is just wrong,' said Weinstein. 'Whatever you think of their music — the violence, the misogynistic lyrics — that is not a reason to go after these guys.' Weinstein continued, adding, 'People like my client, Mr. Kendrick, had to be incarcerated for 2 1/2 years or more, in the case of some of these defendants, for a crime that they didn't do.' Kendrick was stabbed in jail. He was one of two defendants who didn't take plea deals, and the only one cleared of all charges, including a murder charge in the 2015 drive-by shooting death of rival gang member Donovan Thomas Jr., known as 'Big Nut.' In a statement to The Associated Press, Willis spokesperson Jeff DiSantis said 'anti-gang efforts' have yielded 'over 400 convictions of gang members' since Willis became district attorney, including 19 people in this case. Those efforts were 'key' in making Fulton County 'safer, taking dangerous offenders off the streets and sending a message that gang activity will not be tolerated in our community,' he said. Willis prosecuted the case using Georgia's broad anti-racketeering law. Critics say using that law caused a messy trial by roping in dozens of people with varying levels of alleged culpability. The anti-racketeering law allows prosecutors to present evidence that might otherwise not be allowed, which some defense attorneys say lets prosecutors present irrelevant material to the jury. It also often leads to people being held in jail longer for multiple reasons. 'It made everything so much more complicated and cumbersome,' said Max Schardt, defense attorney for defendant Shannon Stillwell. No 'home run' Stillwell was among five codefendants who stood trial alongside Young Thug beginning in November 2023. After Young Thug and the others entered guilty pleas, Stillwell and Kendrick were the only ones who took their chances with a jury. They were found not guilty of racketeering, murder and gang-related charges in December. Stillwell was found guilty only of gun possession. The verdict came nearly two years after jury selection began. Nine other defendants, including the rapper Gunna, accepted plea deals before the trial began. Prosecutors dropped charges against one defendant after he was convicted of murder in an unrelated case. Twelve defendants were split from the original trial, and charges against six of them were dismissed in early December. Another recently got a murder charge dismissed after entering an Alford plea, which allows him to maintain his innocence while acknowledging that it is in his best interest to plead guilty. McMullen, who was also charged with murder in Thomas' killing, entered an Alford plea to a lesser aggravated assault charge and another count of violating the anti-racketeering law. A judge in this case sentenced him to 40 years, with 20 to be served in confinement at the same time as the sentence he's already serving, and 20 suspended for time served. That leaves one remaining defendant who is accused of shooting and wounding an Atlanta police officer in February 2022 while on probation. His fate is expected to be determined soon. Atlanta defense attorney Andrew Fleischman, who was not involved in the case, said Willis could have secured guilty pleas years ago without a long, expensive trial if she hadn't used the anti-racketeering law. 'She went for a home run, and she didn't get it,' said Fleischman. ___ Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Charlotte Kramon, The Associated Press
The Independent
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Long-running Young Thug gang trial to end without any murder convictions
Three years after Atlanta rapper Young Thug and 27 others were indicted on gang and racketeering charges, followed by a long, problem-plagued trial, nobody will be convicted of murder. When Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis announced the indictment in May 2022, she said her office was cracking down on a violent street gang responsible for multiple killings run by Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams. But Willis dropped the only remaining murder charge Monday after defendant Demise McMullen pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of aggravated assault. Young Thug went home Oct. 31 after pleading guilty to gang, drug and gun charges and remains on probation. Prosecutors alleged that Young Thug and two others founded the street gang Young Slime Life, which was associated with the Bloods street gang, in 2012. The 33-year-old artist has a record label called Young Stoner Life, which prosecutors alleged was tied to Young Slime Life. A long and controversial trial Prosecutors drew ire for using song lyrics and social media posts in their case. Attorney Doug Weinstein, who represented defendant Deamonte Kendrick, who raps under the name Yak Gotti, said prosecutors targeted men who pursued music as a way out of hardship in economically 'deprived' Atlanta areas and tried to 'claw them back in, hold them back down.' 'Whatever they may have done in their youth, and I would argue most of them didn't do anything, to be targeted in this way by the prosecutors is just wrong,' said Weinstein. 'Whatever you think of their music — the violence, the misogynistic lyrics — that is not a reason to go after these guys.' Weinstein continued, adding, ' People like my client, Mr. Kendrick, had to be incarcerated for 2 1/2 years or more, in the case of some of these defendants, for a crime that they didn't do." Kendrick was stabbed in jail. He was one of two defendants who didn't take plea deals, and the only one cleared of all charges, including a murder charge in the 2015 drive-by shooting death of rival gang member Donovan Thomas Jr., known as 'Big Nut.' In a statement to The Associated Press, Willis spokesperson Jeff DiSantis said 'anti-gang efforts' have yielded 'over 400 convictions of gang members" since Willis became district attorney, including 19 people in this case. Those efforts were 'key' in making Fulton County "safer, taking dangerous offenders off the streets and sending a message that gang activity will not be tolerated in our community,' he said. Willis prosecuted the case using Georgia's broad anti-racketeering law. Critics say using that law caused a messy trial by roping in dozens of people with varying levels of alleged culpability. The anti-racketeering law allows prosecutors to present evidence that might otherwise not be allowed, which some defense attorneys say lets prosecutors present irrelevant material to the jury. It also often leads to people being held in jail longer for multiple reasons. 'It made everything so much more complicated and cumbersome,' said Max Schardt, defense attorney for defendant Shannon Stillwell. No 'home run' Stillwell was among five codefendants who stood trial alongside Young Thug beginning in November 2023. After Young Thug and the others entered guilty pleas, Stillwell and Kendrick were the only ones who took their chances with a jury. They were found not guilty of racketeering, murder and gang-related charges in December. Stillwell was found guilty only of gun possession. The verdict came nearly two years after jury selection began. Nine other defendants, including the rapper Gunna, accepted plea deals before the trial began. Prosecutors dropped charges against one defendant after he was convicted of murder in an unrelated case. Twelve defendants were split from the original trial, and charges against six of them were dismissed in early December. Another recently got a murder charge dismissed after entering an Alford plea, which allows him to maintain his innocence while acknowledging that it is in his best interest to plead guilty. McMullen, who was also charged with murder in Thomas' killing, entered an Alford plea to a lesser aggravated assault charge and another count of violating the anti-racketeering law. A judge in this case sentenced him to 40 years, with 20 to be served in confinement at the same time as the sentence he's already serving, and 20 suspended for time served. That leaves one remaining defendant who is accused of shooting and wounding an Atlanta police officer in February 2022 while on probation. His fate is expected to be determined soon. Atlanta defense attorney Andrew Fleischman, who was not involved in the case, said Willis could have secured guilty pleas years ago without a long, expensive trial if she hadn't used the anti-racketeering law. 'She went for a home run, and she didn't get it,' said Fleischman. ___
