Young Thug Racketeering Trial Resumes

The long-running racketeering trial of rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffrey Williams, resumed after an eight-week hiatus with a new judge, Paige Reese Whitaker, presiding. The trial had been paused due to the removal of Chief Judge Ural Glanville following defense motions citing his improper meeting with prosecutors and a state witness, Kenneth 'Lil Woody' Copeland. Copeland, granted immunity, resumed his testimony but often claimed he did not recall details, admitting to lying to investigators in the past to avoid jail. The trial, Georgia's longest, involves Young Thug and five co-defendants accused of gang, drug, and gun crimes under the state's RICO statute. Despite multiple delays and attempts for a mistrial, the proceedings continue with 105 more witnesses still expected to testify.