Stabbing Incident Delays Young Thug RICO Trial. Shannon Stillwell, a co-defendant in Young Thug’s racketeering and gang conspiracy trial, was stabbed at Fulton County Jail on Sunday night, halting proceedings.
Stillwell, known as SB or Shannon Jackson, faces RICO conspiracy and street gang allegations. His lawyer, Max Schardt, confirmed the incident, stating, “He is with us — he is alive. But I fear that it was serious.”
Stabbing Incident Delays Young Thug RICO Trial.“We’ve invested a large amount of time in this case to prepare for trial. Quite frankly, we want Shannon to have his day in court because we believe that he is innocent. We don’t want unnecessary delays, but we’re going to defer to the doctors.” – Max Schardt, Attorney for Shannon Stillwell
Details surrounding the attack are still emerging, with Schardt working to gather information about the circumstances. Natalie L. Ammons, the director of communications for Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed the stabbing but did not provide additional details. The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment.
Stillwell is among the five defendants standing trial alongside Young Thug, who is accused of leading the violent criminal street gang known as YSL (Young Slime Life). Young Thug, born Jeffery Williams, maintains his innocence, asserting that his gangster persona is fictional and that YSL is merely his record label.
In addition to RICO conspiracy charges, Stillwell faces two counts of murder, including allegations of involvement in a 2015 drive-by shooting that prosecutors claim triggered a prolonged gang war. Stillwell has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The trial has been marred by various disruptions and delays, including almost 10 months of jury selection. The complex case, initiated by Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis, initially included 28 defendants, many of whom pleaded guilty or had their cases severed.
Following the stabbing incident, Judge Ural Glanville called for a recess on Monday, citing a “medical issue” involving one of the trial participants. The court is set to reconvene on Tuesday morning to decide on the next steps.
Two orders were filed by Judge Glanville related to Stillwell. The first allows Stillwell’s legal team to visit him at Atlanta’s Grady Hospital, where he is receiving treatment, “to the extent that it is medically cleared.” The second order mandates that Stillwell be kept separate from other defendants once he recovers, including in jail, during transport, and at the courthouse.
Despite the setbacks, Stillwell’s legal team is eager for the trial to proceed. Schardt emphasized, “We’ve invested a large amount of time in this case to prepare for trial. Quite frankly, we want Shannon to have his day in court because we believe that he is innocent. We don’t want unnecessary delays, but we’re going to defer to the doctors.”
This unforeseen incident adds another layer of complexity to an already intricate legal battle, leaving many to wonder about the implications for the trial’s timeline and the potential ramifications on the defendants involved.
The stabbing incident has introduced a significant disruption to an already complex trial, raising questions about the potential impact on the timeline and the broader proceedings. The court’s decision on how to handle this unexpected development will likely shape the trial’s future course.
The legal community and the public keenly await the court’s decision on Tuesday morning, anticipating how the trial will navigate through this unforeseen challenge.
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