Testimony Resumes in Young Thug Trial

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A 2015 shooting involving a tour bus owned by rapper Lil’ Wayne remains the latest subject in Young Thug’s criminal gang trial in Atlanta.

Testimony will resume Tuesday morning when a retired Atlanta police detective who investigated the incident is expected to be back on the stand.

On Monday, prosecutors called Alvin Lewis, one of the drivers in the 2015 Lil Wayne tour bus shooting, to testify. He became emotional at times while on the stand while testifying about the shooting.

“They started at the back of the bus; they shot at my engine; they shot my radiator; and I just started shooting the whole side of the bus,” said Lewis, who retired right after the incident.

This is another crime the state is trying to link to rapper Young Thug whose real name is Jeffery Williams.

Williams was charged on May 9, 2022; this Thursday will mark two years since his initial indictment. The state says Williams is the leader of the alleged YSL gang that is behind a handful of violent acts.

Defense attorneys have expressed concern that this trial could last for years, depending on how many witnesses the state plans to call.

A total of 18 jurors were selected, including six alternates. Two jurors have already been excused; one had a medical emergency, the other left Fulton County.

Williams’ lawyers argue that the artist is not the alleged gang leader as prosecutors claim.

The jury selection process for Young Thug’s trial lasted longer than any other trial in Georgia history and was repeatedly marred by arrests, accusations and disruptions. The trial itself could last more than a year. Georgia’s longest jury selection and its longest trial both occurred during the 2014-2015 Atlanta Public Schools teacher scandal.

Opening statements began on November 27, 2023.

Young Thug – real name Jeffery Williams – is on trial in Fulton County in a massive RICO case involving himself and five other defendants. Young Thug himself faces eight counts under a federal law originally passed to combat organized crime. Georgia is one of 33 states with its own RICO law, but in the Peach State, the alleged criminal enterprises do not have to have existed as long as the federal law.

Defense attorneys for Williams and his other co-defendants claim that YSL (Young Slime Life or Young Stoner’s Life) is Young Thug’s label. Prosecutors are trying to show that YSL is a criminal street gang responsible for numerous crimes.

Williams is also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of codeine with intent to distribute; possession of cocaine; possession of a firearm; and possession of a machine gun.

Prosecutors said they still plan to call about 150 witnesses.

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