Young Thug's Trial Judge Ordered Off YSL Case, New Judge Assigned
The judge overseeing rapper Young Thug's trial was removed from the federal case on Monday.
Judge Ural Glanville was recused from the federal case after multiple defendants alleged he held "improper meetings" with a witness for the prosecution.
Judge Rachel Krause, who handled the recusal motions, removed Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Glanville from the Atlanta trial after his 18-month tenure on the case. Judge Shukura Ingram replaced him.
Despite finding no misconduct in Glanville's meeting, Krause recused him to reportedly uphold public trust in the judicial process. The move was to emphasize the importance of maintaining public confidence in the legal system.
Glanville's removal marks another setback in Georgia's lengthiest criminal trial. In a landmark decision last November, Glanville ruled that rap lyrics could be admitted as evidence under specific conditions during the trial.
In June, Young Thug's lawyer, Brian Steel, filed a motion to disqualify "unethical" Judge Glanville from further involvement in the trial, alleging a clandestine meeting between Glanville, a witness, and prosecutors, which he argued compromised the proceedings.
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When questioned by Glanville about the source of his information, Steel refused to disclose it, leading Glanville to hold Steel in contempt and sentence him to 20 days in jail. Glanville offered to rescind the contempt order if Steel revealed his informant.
Colette Resnik Steel, Brian Steel's wife, filed a notice of intent to appeal, prompting the Georgia Supreme Court to grant Steel bail and an emergency motion to suspend the order on June 12. The court agreed to hear Steel's appeal at a later date.
Young Thug, born Jeffery Lamar Williams, is accused of conspiring to violate Georgia's anti-racketeering law with more than two dozens others.
The 32-year-old is also charged with drug, gun, and gang crimes.
