Young Thug Final Co-Defendants’ Plea Deals Update As RICO Trial Drags On

The remaining two defendants in the YSL trial have not accepted plea deals yet as the trial is expected to resume on Monday.
Deamonte Kendrick, also known as Yak Gotti, and Shannon Stillwell, also known as SB, are facing multiple charges related to racketeering conspiracy and participation in criminal street gang activity, along with drug and gun violations.
Prosecutors allege that Kendrick and Stillwell were part of a gang called YSL.
They were originally on trial with Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, and three others. All four took plea deals this week.
Williams was released from jail Thursday night after being sentenced to time served and 15 years on probation.
After Williams was sentenced, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker spoke to prosecutors and the remaining defendants about the status of their plea deals.
The state asked Kendrick to plead guilty to conspiracy to violate Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and willful participation in street gang activity. They offered to reduce his murder charge to voluntary manslaughter. Under the agreement, the state would recommend he be sentenced to 15 years in prison and five years on probation on all charges. He would serve the sentences concurrently.
The state would also agree to not prosecute Kendrick on the remaining charges he was facing.
Stillwell was offered a sentence of 40 years in prison and 20 years on probation. The two murder charges he was facing would be reduced to voluntary manslaughter.
Both defendants are facing life sentences plus additional years in prison.
Kendrick and Stillwell have not accepted the offers from the state yet.
Whitaker spoke about what will happen if they reject the plea deals.
“Obviously, each of you has the right to continue with the trial, you know what you’re doing, you all have very capable attorneys representing you who clearly care very passionately about you all personally as well as presenting your best case,” Whitaker said. “But it’s ultimately going to be up to the jury, and you cannot know what any jury is going to do.”
The state attempted to withdraw the offers in court. Whitaker questioned whether the defense attorneys had been given enough time to negotiate.
“Given that the state spent the entire day negotiating Mr. Williams’ plea, ultimately unsuccessfully, I don’t know if either Mr. Weinstein or Mr. Schardt would have been able to negotiate with you during today,”
Whitaker asked the state to keep the deal open a little longer. Prosecutors said they would consult with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
If Kendrick and Stillwell do not accept their plea deals, the trial is expected to resume on Monday.
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