Judge Presiding Over YSL Trial Recused Following Various Motions and Accusations of Misconduct

The high-profile trial faces another interesting turn as the presiding judge finds himself dismissed from the case.

Young Thug, real name Jeffery Lamar Williams, was one of 27 people to be charge in relation to Atlanta-based YSL gang. The trial has been trucking along for almost two years. (Photo Courtesy: Atlanta News First on YouTube)

Judge Ural Glanville, the presiding judge of the YSL trial, found himself no longer part of the highly publicized case.

On July 15, Superior Court Judge Rachel Krause granted motions filed by Young Thug’s attorney Brian Steel who spoke out about a meeting between Glanville, the prosecution and a witness. The private meeting featured the prosecution questioning the witness, Kenneth “Lil Woody” Copeland, without the presence of the defense. 

Glanville later wondered how Steele found out about the meeting, but Steel refused to give up details on his source. The judge held Steel in contempt and ordered him to report to the Fulton County Jail — Steel was sentenced to 20 days behind bars. The Georgia Supreme Court later reversed the decision and Steel never spent a day in jail.

In her ruling, Judge Krause details her reasoning behind her decision:

“While the meeting could have — and perhaps should have — taken place in open court, nothing about the fact of the meeting or the substance discussed was inherently improper,” Krause said. “However, in his order denying Defendant Kendrick’s motion…Judge Glanville added facts, provided context, questioned the veracity of allegations, and otherwise explained his decisions and actions and argued why those actions were proper. 

While it ‘may be appropriate for the judge to disclose information relevant to potential recusal,’ such a ‘disclosure must be made in a way that is as objective, dispassionate, and non-argumentative as possible, so that the judge is not reasonably perceived as a hostile witness or advocate,” Krause explained in her ruling.

The YSL trial has been ongoing for up to 18 months, including various head scratching moments. Rapper Young Thug, real name Jeffery Lamar Williams, faces charges for allegedly co-founding and leading an Atlanta-based gang, dubbed Young Slime Life. The street gang is responsible for violent acts dating back a decade.

Williams was charged alongside 27 other people under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Acts, commonly known as RICO. Many people took plea deals, notably fellow rapper Gunna and Williams’ older brother. 

Following Judge Glanville’s recusal, a new judge will be appointed to the trial. It’s unclear how long that process will take.