Yak Gotti—one of two defendants currently awaiting a jury verdict in Young Thug’s high-profile RICO case—was stabbed in jail on Sunday (Dec. 1), according to his attorney Doug Weinstein.
Despite the incident, Gotti, whose real name is Deamonte Kendrick, is reportedly expected to appear in court today (Dec. 2) as deliberations resume. “While he sounded tired, I expect him to make a full recovery,” stated Weinstein, according to CBS News.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the stabbing occurred during a fight between Kendrick and another detainee at the jail’s south annex in Union City. Kendrick sustained “minor injuries” from “a sharp object” and received medical attention, according to a statement from spokeswoman Natalie Ammons. An investigation into the altercation is ongoing.
This isn’t the first time violence has erupted in connection to the case. Shannon Stillwell, the other defendant awaiting a verdict, was also stabbed in the same jail nearly a year ago, according to reports from ANF.
Both Kendrick and Stillwell were indicted alongside Young Thug and others in May 2022, and accused of conspiring to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Prosecutors alleged that YSL stands for “Young Slime Life,” operating as a criminal street gang responsible for a slew of crimes. However, defense attorneys have argued that YSL is solely the name of a record label, Young Stoner Life.
The trial has been a marathon of proceedings, with jury selection for six defendants beginning nearly two years ago. The RICO case has made headlines for its twists and turns, including the fact that it featured the longest jury selection in Georgia’s history.
Young Thug attends the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Back in October, four defendants, including Young Thug (real name Jeffery Williams), accepted plea deals, with the “Lifestyle” rapper ultimately being freed on probation last month, after five years of incarceration.
Kendrick and Stillwell, however, rejected plea agreements after more than a week of negotiations, with their defense teams opting out of presenting evidence or witnesses during the trial.
Upon Thug’s freedom, he stated in court: “I take full responsibility for my crimes, for my charges. I want to say sorry to my family, my mom… I am a smart guy, I am a good guy, and I really got a good heart, you know. I find myself in a lot of stuff because I was just nice or cool. I hope that you allow me to go home today and trust in me to do the right thing… I promise you I won’t ever be in this type of situation again.”
As far as Yak Gotti, it hasn’t been revealed if he actually appeared in court today.
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