Georgia’s longest criminal trial has concluded, with a jury delivering nearly all not-guilty verdicts for the final two defendants in the YSL RICO case. The trial, which lasted almost two years, focused on allegations that YSL was a street gang based in Cleveland Avenue.

Several high-profile figures criticized the prosecution. Attorney Ashleigh Merchant called the case “overcharged” and a “flop,” while constitutional law professor Anthony Michael Kreis labeled it a “total embarrassment” for the Fulton County District Attorney. Chris Timmons, partner and legal expert, emphasized how the case put too much strain on the courts. “This trial should have been two months, not two years” he said. Timmons added that while some guilty pleas were secured early on, the final results were disappointing for prosecutors.

High-profile defendants like Young Thug and Gunna entered plea deals, leaving major crimes — including the 2015 murder of Donovan Thomas and the 2022 killing of Shymel Drinks — unresolved in court.

To read the full article, visit 11Alive here.