An Atlanta judge ruled that rapper Young Thug’s lyrics can be used as evidence against him in his gang-related RICO trial.
Young Thug, real name Jeffery Williams, was arrested in May 2022 on a 56-count indictment filed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
On Thursday, Judge Ural Glanville ruled that violent rap lyrics by Young Thug and other co-defendants can be admitted into evidence. Judge Glanville denied a motion filed by Williams’s attorney last December arguing against the use of lyrics in the case.
Williams’ attorney Brian Steel argued that rap lyrics are a form of artistic expression that falls under the First Amendment rights to freedom of speech.
“[Prosecutors] are targeting the right to free speech,” Steel said during arguments on Wednesday night. He added that Williams didn’t write some of the lyrics himself.
The prosecutor’s office argued that Williams’ rap lyrics are confessions to crimes, not constitutionally protected speech.
“The lyrics are being used to prove the nature of YSL as a racketeering enterprise, the expectations of YSL as a criminal street gang,” said Fulton County Assistant District Attorney Mike Carlson in court on Wednesday.
Steel previously said his client was a respected businessman and that his record label, Young Stoner Life (YSL), operated as a legitimate company in Atlanta.
However, prosecutors say YSL is actually Young Slime Life, a violent street gang and organized crime enterprise.
