Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, and his lawyer, Brian Steel, watch Judge Ural Glanville speak during the hearing of key witness Kenneth Copeland at the Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Monday, June 10, 2024. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia judge has found defense attorney Brian Steel in contempt, ordering him to spend the next 10 weekends in jail. Steel represents rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, currently on trial in Atlanta on charges of violating Georgia’s anti-racketeering and gang laws.
Steel’s contempt charge arose during a hearing at Fulton County Superior Court on June 10, 2024. Chief Judge Ural Glanville ordered Steel jailed after he refused to disclose how he learned about a private meeting involving the judge, prosecutors, and a prosecution witness. This incident adds another dramatic twist to a trial that has been ongoing for over a year and has faced numerous issues.
Contempt Charges Lead to Jail Time
Young Thug, a Grammy-winning artist, faces serious charges in a sweeping indictment that includes more than two dozen others. The charges involve conspiracy to violate Georgia’s anti-racketeering law, along with gang, drug, and gun crimes. The trial has been particularly lengthy, with jury selection taking nearly 10 months and opening statements starting in November 2023. Since then, the prosecution has called dozens of witnesses to the stand.
During Monday’s court session, Steel revealed that he had been informed about a meeting in Judge Glanville’s chambers. Present at this meeting were the judge, a court reporter, prosecutors, a crucial state witness, and the witness’s attorney. Judge Glanville expressed serious concern about how Steel obtained this information, which he believed was improperly disclosed. Despite being repeatedly asked to reveal his source, Steel refused, leading to the contempt charge.
Steel is ordered to serve 20 days in the Fulton County Jail, specifically over the next 10 weekends. He must report to jail at 7 p.m. on Fridays and will be released at 7 p.m. on Sundays, starting this Friday and continuing until August 18. Steel has requested to serve his time in the Cobb County Jail, where Young Thug is being held, to facilitate work on the rapper’s defense. Judge Glanville indicated he would discuss this with the sheriff.
Steel has filed an appeal against the contempt order and requested that Judge Glanville reconsider and rescind the order or grant him bond during the appeal process. Steel’s motion argues that the information he disclosed in court was not confidential by any court order and that the judge’s punishment was illegal and inconsistent for criminal contempt.
Ongoing Legal Battle
Kenneth Copeland, the witness involved in the disputed meeting, had been jailed over the weekend after refusing to testify despite an immunity deal. Copeland returned to the stand on Monday and was released on the condition that he continues testifying. Steel alleged that a prosecutor had told Copeland he could be held in jail until all related cases were resolved, which Steel argued amounted to coercion and witness intimidation.
Judge Glanville remains focused on the improper disclosure of the meeting details, while Steel continues to question the fairness and transparency of the proceedings. The ongoing trial has not only captivated the public but also highlighted significant legal and procedural controversies.
Young Thug, who has seen significant success in the music industry, serves as CEO of his own record label, Young Stoner Life (YSL). However, prosecutors claim that YSL also stands for Young Slime Life, an alleged violent street gang. The indictment accuses members of YSL of numerous violent crimes intended to enhance the gang’s power and reputation.
As the trial continues, the legal battles and courtroom dramas surrounding Young Thug and his defense team show no signs of abating, with each development adding another layer of complexity to this high-profile case.
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