Young Thug & YSL Trial: State Motions To Block RICO Case's Live Stream

Given how prosecutors have interpreted public and spectator interference in these proceedings, they want to lessen risk of harm.

BYGabriel Bras Nevares
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The RICO trial for Young Thug and the rest of YSL might change in a big way soon, at least for us spectators. Moreover, the state just filed a motion to block the livestream of court proceedings, and their reasoning is quite interesting. Specifically, they name "limitations on the media's ability to video record testifying witnesses during the pendency of the trial of this case." In addition, they reference a December 5, 2023 incident in which "live video footage of the trial testimony of a forensic analyst for the State was broadcast by the media. As this witness testified, menacing commentary appeared in the live chat for the broadcast: 'we will see u later [witness' name] YSL gunna pop by later.'"

Furthermore, prosecutors in the Young Thug and YSL RICO trial want to consider "a substantial likelihood of harm arising from one or more of the identified factors; whether that harm outweighs the benefit of recording to the public, and whether the Court has considered more narrow restrictions on recording than a complete denial of the media's requests." However, they also had specific requests. These include that the courtroom should only allow audio devices for the media's recording and no visual recording of the witnesses at all. Also, they want to court to ban the media from identifying victim and witness testifiers' full names until they complete said testimony.

Read More: Young Thug Seemingly References RICO Case On Kid Cudi’s “INSANO”

State Motions To Block Young Thug & YSL RICO Trial's Livestream

While folks may see this move as highly prohibitive, the State does not agree. "To be clear, the State is not requesting an outright denial of recording in this trial," they expressed. "Instead, each of the State's requests is explicitly referenced in Rule 22(G)(2) as an example of a 'least restrictive possible limitation' on recording short of denial." We've already seen how testimonies spread like wildfire online, contributing to our public perception of it.

But many might ask what's more important: public knowledge of the trial or safety-oriented secrecy around it? The answer is complex, but prosecutors and defense attorneys alike want this case to proceed as smoothly and fairly as possible. Hackers already interrupted the trial in the past, so perhaps this move will increase its efficiency. On the other hand, it could leave the public in the dark as they already debate whether these proceedings upheld fair practices. Regardless, with all this in mind, check back in with HNHH for the latest news and updates on Young Thug and the YSL RICO case.

Read More: Young Thug’s Defense Plays Old Rich Gang Song In Court For Cross Examination

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About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares is a music and pop culture news writer for HotNewHipHop. He started in 2022 as a weekend writer and, since joining the team full-time, has developed a strong knowledge in hip-hop news and releases. Whether it’s regular coverage or occasional interviews and album reviews, he continues to search for the most relevant news for his audience and find the best new releases in the genre. What excites him the most is finding pop culture stories of interest, as well as a deeper passion for the art form of hip-hop and its contemporary output. Specifically, Gabriel enjoys the fringes of rap music: the experimental, boundary-pushing, and raw alternatives to the mainstream sound. As a proud native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, he also stays up-to-date with the archipelago’s local scene and its biggest musical exponents in reggaetón, salsa, indie, and beyond. Before working at HotNewHipHop, Gabriel produced multiple short documentaries, artist interviews, venue spotlights, and audio podcasts on a variety of genres and musical figures. Hardcore punk and Go-go music defined much of his coverage during his time at the George Washington University in D.C. His favorite hip-hop artists working today are Tyler, The Creator, Boldy James, JPEGMAFIA, and Earl Sweatshirt.