One of the remaining co-defendants in Georgia’s longest-running criminal trial, Deamonte Kendrick, also known as Yak Gotti, was stabbed in jail, according to his lawyer, Douglas Weinstein. The incident occurred in the Fulton County Jail’s south annex, and Kendrick required treatment for minor injuries from a sharp object. The circumstances surrounding the incident and the extent of Kendrick’s injuries are currently under investigation.
The trial against Kendrick and co-defendant Shannon Stillwell, connected to multiple charges under the state’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations statute, began in January 2023 with a total of 28 co-defendants, including rap superstar Young Thug. The trial has experienced delays and unexpected turns, leading to several plea deals and separate trials for some defendants.
The proceedings, which have been live-streamed, have captured social media attention, with prosecutors using Young Thug’s song lyrics as evidence of violence and illegal acts. The trial has also seen bizarre moments, including alleged drug exchanges, uncooperative witnesses, and incidents involving the presiding judge.
While four of the six co-defendants accepted plea agreements, including Young Thug, who had his sentence commuted to time served, Kendrick and Stillwell had been awaiting the jury’s decision. The trial had been previously delayed by Stillwell’s stabbing in December 2023, as well as other setbacks, such as prosecutorial missteps and a mistrial possibility.
Georgia’s previous longest criminal trial involved Atlanta public school educators accused of racketeering in a cheating scandal and lasted about eight months.
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