During cross-examination Monday, a judge accused a key prosecution witness in rapper Young Thug’s trial of testifying falsely.
Yak Gotti (born Deamonte Kendrick) and SB (born Shannon Stillwell) were each charged with more than a dozen crimes, including racketeering conspiracy, gang activity, murder and drug offenses. Both defendants affirmed their innocence.
Prosecutors have accused Kendrick and Stillwell of being involved with a gang called Young Slime Life (YSL). They were initially charged along with Young Thug, aka Jeffery Williams, and three other co-defendants who accepted a plea deal last month.
As Newsweek reports, one of the turning points in the trial was when Atlanta Police Department analyst Marissa Viverito took the stand and discussed the evidence presented by investigators.
Viverito, during his testimony, was criticized by the defense for a line in Stillwell’s rap song “Slatt Talk” that said: “I beat a murderer.”
Defense attorney Max Schardt then asked Viverito if he had “ever fought” a murder. Stillwell was charged with murder in the death of Donovan Thomas, but was neither convicted nor acquitted in an unrelated killing.
Viverito: “I think explaining that is a really slippery slope.”
Judge Paige Reese Whitaker stepped in after the prosecution requested access to the bench. Moments later, she asked the jury to leave the room so she could speak privately with Viverito.
Judge Whitaker said, “Mr. Schardt asked you a very straightforward question and everyone was confused by your answer so we need you to clarify.”
Schardt asked again and Viverito said that Stillwell thought they would “win” the Thomas case.
Judge Whitaker responded that this was the first murder trial Stillwell had faced. When answering, she said it would have to be intentional and specific.
But Viverito said it was also unclear whether Schardt was referring to cases that had been dismissed.
Judge Whitaker responded: “A pre-trial bond is not a yes answer to the question ‘has he ever been tried and acquitted.’ “
Judge Whitaker clashed with Viverito over her testimony, last week chastising Viverito for what she called “opinions” instead of just facts.
As the trial progresses, attorneys on both sides are bracing for more challenges to witnesses and evidence.
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