An Atlanta judge has sentenced the attorney of rapper Young Thug to spend the next ten weekends in jail for being in contempt of court.
Brian Steel, the defense attorney of the rapper facing charges of violating Georgia’s anti-racketeering and gang laws, has been ordered to jail by Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville. The judge took this action on Monday after Steel declined to reveal the source of his information about a meeting between the judge, prosecutors, and a prosecution witness.
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After more than a year of a seemingly endless trial that has been plagued by numerous issues, a dramatic turn of events has taken place.
Jeffery Williams, also known as Young Thug, a Grammy awardee, was indicted two years ago along with more than two dozen individuals for allegedly conspiring to violate Georgia’s anti-racketeering law. He is facing charges for gang-related, drug, and gun offenses and is presently on trial alongside five of his co-defendants.
According to Margie Szaroleta, a correspondent for the AP, the attorney representing rapper Young Thug has been imprisoned for contempt of court.
The process of selecting a jury for this case commenced in January 2023 and lasted almost 10 months. The prosecution began presenting its case with numerous witnesses after the opening statements were made in November.
In an open court hearing on Monday, Steel spoke directly to Glanville, informing him of a meeting that had taken place in the judge’s chambers earlier that day. According to an order written by Glanville, Steel made several statements during the meeting that were deemed troubling by the court. As a result, Steel was found in contempt and ordered to be jailed.
During the meeting, only the judge, court reporter, prosecutors, an important state witness, and the witness’ attorney were present. Glanville expressed his “serious concern” about the improper disclosure of the information to Steel. He repeatedly asked Steel to reveal how he learned about the meeting and its contents, warning him that he could be held in contempt if he refused. Despite Glanville’s warnings, Steel refused to disclose the information.
Starting this Friday and continuing through August 18th, Steel will be required to report to the Fulton County Jail at 7 p.m. on Fridays and remain there for 20 days, serving 10 weekends in total. Judge Glanville has ordered this sentence as a consequence of Steel’s actions. Steel will be released at 7 p.m. on Sundays each weekend.
According to news reports, Steel requested Glanville’s permission to serve his sentence in Cobb County Jail, where Young Thug is currently detained. The purpose was to allow Steel and his client to collaborate on the rapper’s defense. Glanville readily agreed and promised to discuss the matter with the sheriff.
On Monday, Steel took the first step to challenge the contempt order by submitting a notice of appeal to the Georgia Court of Appeals. Additionally, he filed a motion requesting Glanville to either “reconsider and rescind the order of contempt” or grant him bond during the appeal process.
According to Steel’s motion, the judge and prosecutors convened a meeting with a sworn witness who had been granted immunity but had been held in contempt after asserting his Fifth Amendment privilege. Steel disclosed this information in court and subsequently moved for a mistrial.
According to the judge, Steel had access to some information that he should not have had. However, Steel’s motion argues that the said information was not declared confidential by any court order. In addition, Glanville’s decision to hold him in contempt is considered illegal and inconsistent as per the motion.
According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Kenneth Copeland was imprisoned over the weekend for failing to testify despite having an immunity deal with prosecutors and agreeing to testify. Copeland participated in a meeting with the judge and prosecutors as a witness. On Monday, he returned to the stand and was released from custody on the condition that he would continue testifying on Tuesday.
Glanville was informed by Steel that Copeland was given a warning by a prosecutor. The warning stated that Copeland might have to stay in jail until the completion of all the cases listed in the indictment against all defendants.
According to the newspaper, Steel argued in court that if the allegations are true, it amounts to coercion, witness intimidation, and ex parte communications. Steel further emphasized that the Constitution guarantees them the right to be present for such proceedings.
Glanville inquired, “I’m curious, how did you acquire this information? Who was your source?”
Steel responded with a question, “Why wasn’t I there?”
Glanville reassured that the conversation held in the judge’s chambers was completely appropriate when another defense attorney requested a transcript of the meeting. He emphasized that his main concern was the disclosure and maintained that there was nothing untoward about their discussion.
As a teenager, Young Thug started rapping and quickly became a massive success. He now serves as the CEO of his own record label, Young Stoner Life, which is also known as YSL. The artists signed to his label are recognized as part of the “Slime Family,” and their compilation album, “Slime Language 2,” reached the top spot on the charts in April 2021.
According to prosecutors, YSL is not just an abbreviation for Yves Saint Laurent, but also stands for Young Slime Life. They claim that this is a violent street gang based in Atlanta and affiliated with the national Bloods gang. Young Thug and two others founded the gang in 2012. The indictment lists several individuals who are allegedly involved in violent crimes, such as shootings, carjackings, and even killings, to generate funds for the gang, enhance its image, and increase its influence and territory.
