YSL Trial Ends After Young Thug’s Codefendants Receive Verdicts

Young Thug's remaining codefendants in the YSL trial received their respective verdicts in a stunning conclusion to the longest-running trial in Georgia's history.

On Tuesday, December 3, Judge Paige Whitaker found Yak Gotti, born Deamonte Kendrick, not guilty on all counts. He faced charges including criminal gang activity, murder and conspiring to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. The other defendant, Shannon "SB" Stillwell, was found guilty of a single charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was sentenced to time served and probation. Following the verdicts, Yak Gotti's mother Latasha Kendrick delivered an impassioned speech in front of the courthouse.

According to legal reporter Meghann Cuniff, Stillwell was charged with two counts of murder. Prosecutors argued he was responsible for the Jan. 10, 2015, shooting that resulted in the death of Donovan Thomas and the March 14, 2022, fatal shooting of Shymel Drinks. Kendrick was also charged with Thomas’ murder but not blamed for Drinks’ death.

During the closing arguments that happened last week on November 25, Judge Whitaker chastised state prosecutors for the way they handled and presented the case. At one point, a juror asked to dismiss themselves from the case due to the length of the trial and the bias they developed over time.

“Frankly, if y’all are presenting the case in a way that’s driving a juror crazy, that’s on you,” Whitaker said.

Prior to the verdict, Young Thug and his codefendants accepted plea deals that effectively removed them from the proceedings. Since Yak Gotti and SB were the only ones left, the jury was dismissed and the trial officially ended after a year.

Watch the moment when Yak Gotti and SB received their verdicts below.