Young Thug's Gang Trial Continues with New Judge

ATLANTA (AP) — The trial of rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, resumed in an Atlanta courtroom on Monday after an eight-week hiatus. The break was necessitated by the need to appoint a new judge following a recusal request against the previous judge, Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville. The trial had been paused since early July, allowing time for the court to address concerns raised by two defendants regarding Glanville's conduct during a meeting with prosecutors and a state witness. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker has now taken over the case, having denied motions for a mistrial. The trial resumed with witness Kenneth Copeland returning to the stand. Young Thug faces serious charges, including conspiracy to violate Georgia’s anti-racketeering law, along with gang, drug, and gun-related offenses. He is on trial alongside five co-defendants, all implicated in a sweeping indictment that has drawn significant public attention. Defense attorney Brian Steel has maintained Young Thug's innocence, emphasizing the rapper's desire for a fair trial to clear his name. The defense had previously filed motions for Glanville's recusal, arguing that the judge's private meeting with prosecutors and a witness was improper and could have influenced testimony. Although Judge Rachel Krause did not criticize Glanville's actions, she agreed that his removal was necessary to uphold public confidence in the judicial process. As the trial progresses, the focus remains on the implications of the charges against Young Thug and the integrity of the judicial proceedings.