VERDICT WATCH GA - Rapper Young + others indicted on RICO & other charges, May 2022. Trial ongoing April 2023, interruptions, lawyer arrested. Fulton County. #2
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Next witness was Sean Fagan, former APD officer where he worked Zone 3 for about 5 years.
Next witness is APD crime scene supervisor Keisha Ware.
Attorney Max Schardt is now cross examining Ware.
Next witness is Ms. Reed, who is YFN Lucci’s mother, won’t be shown on camera and it’s identified by her last name only.
YFN Lucci was on the state’s last public witness list but his attorney has said multiple times he won’t testify.The rapper took a plea deal earlier this year in his own RICO case.
Ms. Reed is testifying about two shootings in 2015 at her home, she was only hit in the second shooting.
Reed is done with no cross examination from defense attorneys.Next witness is APD Officer Zachary Atha.
There was one more APD officer after Atha that I didn’t catch their name, but Whitaker just said that was the last witness for the day so they sent the jury home to return at 9 am tomorrow
Next witness is APD crime scene supervisor Keisha Ware.
Attorney Max Schardt is now cross examining Ware.
Next witness is Ms. Reed, who is YFN Lucci’s mother, won’t be shown on camera and it’s identified by her last name only.
YFN Lucci was on the state’s last public witness list but his attorney has said multiple times he won’t testify.The rapper took a plea deal earlier this year in his own RICO case.
Ms. Reed is testifying about two shootings in 2015 at her home, she was only hit in the second shooting.
Reed is done with no cross examination from defense attorneys.Next witness is APD Officer Zachary Atha.
There was one more APD officer after Atha that I didn’t catch their name, but Whitaker just said that was the last witness for the day so they sent the jury home to return at 9 am tomorrow
Judge Whitaker made attorneys and defendants arrive at 8:30 a.m. to deal with stuff outside the presence of the jury.It’s now 9:20 a.m. and they are still arguing about evidence the state wants to introduce.
“That should have been done before now, we wasted 20 minutes of the jury’s time,” Whitaker said before bringing the witness and the jury out.
Next witness is ATF agent J. Dougherty, he won’t be shown on camera.
I had to go cover something else so I'm catching up.
Dougherty testified about a October 1, 2015 incident involving Deamonte Kendrick and Martinez Arnold allegedly driving through the territory of a rival gang "in retaliation for a prior shooting". Dougherty testified that he chased and apprehended Arnold.
Dougherty used a Taser on Arnold, Weinstein tried to get in that Dougherty and his partner spat on Kendrick and Arnold but was not allowed to introduce that by Whitaker. Kendrick served time for this incident.
Before the next witness was brought up regarding statements Shannon Stillwell made to police, Whitaker read an instruction to the jury that they may not consider any of those statements as to any other count or defendants in the case.
“That should have been done before now, we wasted 20 minutes of the jury’s time,” Whitaker said before bringing the witness and the jury out.
Next witness is ATF agent J. Dougherty, he won’t be shown on camera.
I had to go cover something else so I'm catching up.
Dougherty testified about a October 1, 2015 incident involving Deamonte Kendrick and Martinez Arnold allegedly driving through the territory of a rival gang "in retaliation for a prior shooting". Dougherty testified that he chased and apprehended Arnold.
Dougherty used a Taser on Arnold, Weinstein tried to get in that Dougherty and his partner spat on Kendrick and Arnold but was not allowed to introduce that by Whitaker. Kendrick served time for this incident.
Before the next witness was brought up regarding statements Shannon Stillwell made to police, Whitaker read an instruction to the jury that they may not consider any of those statements as to any other count or defendants in the case.
The state's next witness is former APD homicide detective Howard Griffin Jr., who now works in Plano, Texas, where he works as a detective.
Griffin Jr. testified about a 2015 incident involving Shannon Stillwell that ended with his friend being killed after a car crash.
Stillwell was a victim in this case, Griffin Jr. said. Griffin Jr. interviewed Stillwell and got some information but later recounted his statements to police after the police report was posted on social media.
Griffin Jr. testified that Stillwell requested to write the letter to the woman who died at the car crash.
Next witness is APD investigator Jennings Kilgore, who works at the Atlanta Police crime lab. Chief Deputy DA Love is asking Kilgore questions.
Young
's attorney Keith Adams brought up an objection about Kilgore being qualified as an expert.Judge Whitaker told him that if he wanted to qualify him as an expert, he can do so, but Love said he already was qualified.
Griffin Jr. testified about a 2015 incident involving Shannon Stillwell that ended with his friend being killed after a car crash.
Stillwell was a victim in this case, Griffin Jr. said. Griffin Jr. interviewed Stillwell and got some information but later recounted his statements to police after the police report was posted on social media.
Griffin Jr. testified that Stillwell requested to write the letter to the woman who died at the car crash.
Next witness is APD investigator Jennings Kilgore, who works at the Atlanta Police crime lab. Chief Deputy DA Love is asking Kilgore questions.
Young
's attorney Keith Adams brought up an objection about Kilgore being qualified as an expert.Judge Whitaker told him that if he wanted to qualify him as an expert, he can do so, but Love said he already was qualified.
It seems something came up and the testimony is done for the day and the jury is being dismissed for the day.
It probably has something to do with Nichols because his attorney asked to approach and then Whitaker said he waived his presence to things they are dealing with.
Whitaker asked when they are bringing Martinez Arnold after his attorney Ashleigh Merchant sent them a letter saying that she won’t be available to come in after Nov. 15.She also told them that if they were asking for anything outside his plea agreement that they need immunity.
Whitaker decides to end court early and tells attorneys to be back at 8:45 am
It probably has something to do with Nichols because his attorney asked to approach and then Whitaker said he waived his presence to things they are dealing with.
Whitaker asked when they are bringing Martinez Arnold after his attorney Ashleigh Merchant sent them a letter saying that she won’t be available to come in after Nov. 15.She also told them that if they were asking for anything outside his plea agreement that they need immunity.
Whitaker decides to end court early and tells attorneys to be back at 8:45 am
The state’s next witness is former Det. Dennis, one of the lead investigators at APD who investigated #YSL along with Det. Gaither as part of the gang unit.Unlike Gaither, Dennis is being shown on camera.
Dennis testified that they would go to social media as part of their investigation and collect some of those social media posts.
Dennis testified that he would investigate both sides of the alleged "gang war". Dennis testified that Martinez Arnold was jumped at Magic City Strip Club and obtained video of the assault. After the assault, Deamonte Kendrick and Arnold retaliated and they were arrested.
Dennis testified, once again, that members of YSL went to Miami following the death of Donovan Thomas. Zachary and others testified that they went down there for a Young show, but Dennis testified that Zachary never told him that was the reason for the Miami trip.
Dennis testified that during a police interview, Zachary told him that they went to Miami to get away from everything that was going on.
Dennis testified that Kendrick told him about a "beef" between IF gang and YSL and that he expressed some desired about wanting to be a member of the Bloods.
Dennis testified that once Kendrick's music started to take off, he didn't appear to want to be part of a gang anymore and didn't really respect the gang culture of having gang leaders.
Defense attorneys objected about Dennis testifying about the meaning on lyrics, but Judge Whitaker allows it. Dennis testified that music is sometimes use to highlight, taunt and humiliate.
Attorney Max Schardt just objected to a question by Deputy DA Hylton saying that Dennis had previously testified about that but Whitaker said she wasn't part of the case then so she didn't know if he had testified about it or not, so she allowed Hylton to ask the question.
"We don't chase music, we chase crime. Throughout our investigation, all things are on the table," Dennis said.
After a break to figure out whether or not Dennis can testify about lyrics, Whitaker ruled that he can.Hylton said they are going to question Dennis for about an additional hour to an hour and a half.
Whitaker sent the jury to lunch while they continue to figure out if Dennis was qualify as an expert that can talk about lyrics.
Whitaker determined that he is qualified to testify about lyrics so lunch until 1:15 p.m.
Dennis is back on the stand and said music would often come up during his investigation because “a lot of rappers participate in gangs.”
Dennis said they took whatever gang training was offered to learn trends and music.
Dennis testified that they would go to social media as part of their investigation and collect some of those social media posts.
Dennis testified that he would investigate both sides of the alleged "gang war". Dennis testified that Martinez Arnold was jumped at Magic City Strip Club and obtained video of the assault. After the assault, Deamonte Kendrick and Arnold retaliated and they were arrested.
Dennis testified, once again, that members of YSL went to Miami following the death of Donovan Thomas. Zachary and others testified that they went down there for a Young
show, but Dennis testified that Zachary never told him that was the reason for the Miami trip.Dennis testified that during a police interview, Zachary told him that they went to Miami to get away from everything that was going on.
Dennis testified that Kendrick told him about a "beef" between IF gang and YSL and that he expressed some desired about wanting to be a member of the Bloods.
Dennis testified that once Kendrick's music started to take off, he didn't appear to want to be part of a gang anymore and didn't really respect the gang culture of having gang leaders.
Defense attorneys objected about Dennis testifying about the meaning on lyrics, but Judge Whitaker allows it. Dennis testified that music is sometimes use to highlight, taunt and humiliate.
Attorney Max Schardt just objected to a question by Deputy DA Hylton saying that Dennis had previously testified about that but Whitaker said she wasn't part of the case then so she didn't know if he had testified about it or not, so she allowed Hylton to ask the question.
"We don't chase music, we chase crime. Throughout our investigation, all things are on the table," Dennis said.
After a break to figure out whether or not Dennis can testify about lyrics, Whitaker ruled that he can.Hylton said they are going to question Dennis for about an additional hour to an hour and a half.
Whitaker sent the jury to lunch while they continue to figure out if Dennis was qualify as an expert that can talk about lyrics.
Whitaker determined that he is qualified to testify about lyrics so lunch until 1:15 p.m.
Dennis is back on the stand and said music would often come up during his investigation because “a lot of rappers participate in gangs.”
Dennis said they took whatever gang training was offered to learn trends and music.
Dennis testified that through his training and his own experience was able to decipher lyrics.
Young’s attorney Keith Adams is now cross examining Dennis.The first question is about a presentation Dennis made about gangs and lyrics.
“I’m a rap fan myself,” Dennis said adding that watching and hearing music as well as being a gang expert helped him understand the message that is being portrayed in rap songs.
Whitaker appears to have decided to qualify Dennis as an expert to be able to interpret lyrics based on his experience as a gang expert.
Attorney Doug Weinstein has called for a mistrial saying that what just happened “cannot be fixed” after Dennis said something about the picture.
“He knows he is not supposed to say that,” Weinstein said after the state basically said they didn’t know why Dennis said something. The livestream was muted for some reason so I’m trying to find out what he said.
Whitaker is giving the state 15 minutes to find some case law.
It appears what Dennis said was that Kendrick, or Yak Gotti, had just been released from prison when he was standing on the car.Weinstein quickly asked to approach the bench and called for a mistrial.
The state asked Whitaker to deny the mistrial motion.
Weinstein argues that Dennis has experience testifying and shouldn't have said that.
Whitaker finds that it was not intentionally elicited by the state but also finds that Dennis is a former law enforcement officer and should have known better than to say that.
She said she is only denying the mistrial motion because the jury already knows Kendrick is a convicted felon because one of the charges in the indictment mentions that Kendrick is a convicted felon. She is giving an instruction.
"For this having occurred, that's the end of the testimony from this witness. There is going to be no more testimony from him," Whitaker said about Dennis mentioning that Kendrick was out of prison."He is done," Whitaker said.
After Steel brought up the point that they haven't cross-examined him today, Whitaker said they are going to strike Dennis entire testimony from today. Deputy DA Hylton asked that they are allowed to keep his testimony for today and it's not stricken.
Dennis is one of the leading investigators and gang experts the state has testifying in this case.
"He won't be returning," Whitaker said after attorney Weinstein asked for clarification as to whether Dennis is going to be brought back.
Young
’s attorney Keith Adams is now cross examining Dennis.The first question is about a presentation Dennis made about gangs and lyrics. “I’m a rap fan myself,” Dennis said adding that watching and hearing music as well as being a gang expert helped him understand the message that is being portrayed in rap songs.
Whitaker appears to have decided to qualify Dennis as an expert to be able to interpret lyrics based on his experience as a gang expert.
Attorney Doug Weinstein has called for a mistrial saying that what just happened “cannot be fixed” after Dennis said something about the picture.
“He knows he is not supposed to say that,” Weinstein said after the state basically said they didn’t know why Dennis said something. The livestream was muted for some reason so I’m trying to find out what he said.
Whitaker is giving the state 15 minutes to find some case law.
It appears what Dennis said was that Kendrick, or Yak Gotti, had just been released from prison when he was standing on the car.Weinstein quickly asked to approach the bench and called for a mistrial.
The state asked Whitaker to deny the mistrial motion.
Weinstein argues that Dennis has experience testifying and shouldn't have said that.
Whitaker finds that it was not intentionally elicited by the state but also finds that Dennis is a former law enforcement officer and should have known better than to say that.
She said she is only denying the mistrial motion because the jury already knows Kendrick is a convicted felon because one of the charges in the indictment mentions that Kendrick is a convicted felon. She is giving an instruction.
"For this having occurred, that's the end of the testimony from this witness. There is going to be no more testimony from him," Whitaker said about Dennis mentioning that Kendrick was out of prison."He is done," Whitaker said.
After Steel brought up the point that they haven't cross-examined him today, Whitaker said they are going to strike Dennis entire testimony from today. Deputy DA Hylton asked that they are allowed to keep his testimony for today and it's not stricken.
Dennis is one of the leading investigators and gang experts the state has testifying in this case.
"He won't be returning," Whitaker said after attorney Weinstein asked for clarification as to whether Dennis is going to be brought back.
Chief Deputy DA Adam Abbate has just arrived at the state's desk.
The state's next witness was APD officer David Rodgers who testified regarding former co-defendant Christian Eppinger. The following witness was APD officer John Davis who testified about body camera being used when Rodgers was shot by Eppinger.
Rodgers was shot and injured by Christian Eppinger in 2022. He was granted bond but never released.
@JozsefPapp_
The state's next witness is APD sergeant William Johnson, who works in the homicide unit.
Johnson is also testifying about the incident of Eppinger shooting Rodgers. Eppinger was severed from the case back in June 2023 after it was discover he had a romantic relationship with a courtroom deputy.
The state's next witness is APD sergeant William Johnson, who works in the homicide unit.
Johnson is also testifying about the incident of Eppinger shooting Rodgers. Eppinger was severed from the case back in June 2023 after it was discover he had a romantic relationship with a courtroom deputy.
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Arielilane, thank you for your attention to this case. It is so hard to follow it.
Is the state making a cogent case here? It just seems there is endless testimony, but its hard to follow what the direction is.
Is the state making a cogent case here? It just seems there is endless testimony, but its hard to follow what the direction is.
You're welcome. Yes, it's a hard to follow case, feels like they're all over the place but it's probably me all over the place.
Honestly, no, I dont believe the state has a case. Iirc, next month will be its one year trial anniversary. That's unheard of... right? Waste of hardworking taxpayers dollars. All jmo.
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