Photo courtesy @youngstonerliferecords on IG
The moment fans have been waiting for has come, as Atlanta rapper Gunna approaches an imminent release following a favorable ruling regarding YSL’s looming RICO case.
According to WSB-TV Atlanta Channel 2, after proving that he had no participation in any violent crimes covered under the indictment, a judge agreed to credit him with the year he has served and suspended the rest of his five-year sentence. In exchange, he will face a few special conditions, including 500 hours of community service.
Regarding the conditions of his release, Gunna gave a statement to the media clarifying his involvement in the case.
“While I have agreed to always be truthful, I want to make it perfectly clear that I have NOT made any statements, have NOT been interviewed, have NOT cooperated, have NOT agreed to testify or be a witness for or against any party in the case and have absolutely NO intention of being involved in the trial process in any way.”
— Gunna
Since Young Stoner Life’s sweeping RICO indictment in mid-May, fans have been following the intense legal battle between the Young Thug-led label and Atlanta’s Fulton County.
Specifically, the arrest of Thug and superstar protégé Gunna at the peak of their careers has led to polarizing debates between fans and critics alike — with some condemning their actions while others campaign for their release.
The latest information brings potentially positive news as AllHipHop reports that Young Thug’s lawyers have filed a motion to dismiss the case due to illegally obtained evidence regarding the car used in a murder in 2015.
Apparently, Thug’s lawyers believe the system is working against the award-winning artist, claiming multiple instances of foul play from the prosecution.
Recent developments in the RICO case bring both good and bad news as more details come to light through new court documents. According to Complex, these documents, revealed on Wednesday (Sept. 28), say Gunna’s “only serious overt act” has been dropped — leading his legal team to request a third bond hearing after two previous denials.
Thug’s legal troubles, on the other hand, seem to be worsening. The prosecution paints him as the mastermind or “mob boss” behind a number of heinous crimes allegedly conducted by YSL, including the renting of a vehicle used to commit murder.
Earlier this month, court documents obtained by AllHipHop revealed that approximately $150,000 worth of assets were seized from Young Thug’s property, including jewelry, cars and weapons.
Jewelry vendor Rafaello & Co has been trying to seize some of the pieces, claiming they were lent to Thug. However, authorities found that only four out of the nine pieces they named were comparable to the property they described.
Brian Steel, Young Thug’s lawyer, claims that these forfeitures are unconstitutional, violating the Eighth Amendment which prohibits against excessive fines.
These past five months have been a rollercoaster for the 28 members of YSL named in the RICO case. With another three months until the tentative Jan. 9, 2023 trial date, there’s still much more that needs to unravel before either Thug or Gunna walk free.
This story may be updated to reflect breaking news.
