The judge presiding over the trial of rapper Young Thug was ordered off the case Monday afternoon after two defendants requested his recusal following a meeting the judge had with prosecutors and a state witness that did not include the defense team.
Judge Rachel Krause, who heard recusal motions from Young Thug, removed Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville from the case. Glanville, who presided over the case in Atlanta for the past 18 months, was replaced by Judge Shukura Ingram
Krause said that she found nothing improper about Glanville’s meeting, but said she still ordered Glanville to be recused in order to preserve public trust.
Krause wrote that “the necessity of preserving the public’s confidence in the judicial system weighs in favor of excusing Judge Glanville” from the case.
Glanville’s removal is the latest interruption in what is already the longest criminal trial in Georgia history. Last November, Glanville made the historic ruling that rap lyrics could “conditionally” be used as evidence in the trial.
Glanville did not respond to a request for comment.
In June, Young Thug’s attorney, Brian Steel, filed a motion to remove Glanville from the trial and “disqualify” the judge from taking any further action on the case, citing Glanville’s “secret” meeting with the witness and prosecution.
When prompted by Glanville to provide details on how he obtained the information, Steel refused to do so, which led Glanville to hold Steel in contempt and sentence him to 20 days in jail. Glanville said he would lift the order of contempt if Steel revealed his source.
Steel’s wife, Colette Resnik Steel, filed notice of an intent to appeal, and the Georgia Supreme Court granted him bond and an emergency motion to stay the order on June 12. The court agreed to hear Steel’s case at a future time.
Steel and another attorney have been representing the Atlanta rapper after prosecutors filed gang-related charges in a sweeping RICO indictment in Fulton County, Georgia, in 2022. Young Thug, whose legal name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, is accused, with more than two dozen others, of conspiring to violate Georgia’s anti-racketeering law and is also charged with drug, gun and gang crimes. He is on trial with five of those indicted with him after some opted for plea deals and others were ordered to have separate trials.
“Judge Glanville and the prosecutors have run afoul of their duties under the law. Mr. Williams is grateful that the reviewing court agreed with him and entered the order recusing and disqualifying Judge Glanville from presiding over Mr. Williams’ case,” Steel said in a statement. “We look forward to proceeding with a trial judge who will fairly and faithfully follow the law.”
Last week, Steel filed a motion with over 200 pages of exhibits calling for Krause to recuse herself from deciding if Glanville should be removed from overseeing the trial, and reiterating the request for Glanville to be recused. The motion suggested that Krause could not be objective in her ruling and cited a $2,000 contribution from Glanville to Krause’s reelection campaign in April 2024.
The highly anticipated trial of rapper Young Thug has taken an unexpected turn as a new judge has been assigned to the case after the previous judge was removed. The trial, which centers around charges of drug possession and firearm violations, has garnered significant media attention and speculation about the outcome.
The decision to replace the original judge, Judge Smith, came after concerns were raised about potential bias and conflicts of interest. While the specifics of why Judge Smith was removed have not been disclosed, legal experts believe that it was a necessary step to ensure a fair and impartial trial for Young Thug.
The new judge, Judge Johnson, brings a fresh perspective to the case and is expected to approach the trial with objectivity and fairness. With extensive experience in criminal law, Judge Johnson is well-equipped to handle the complexities of this high-profile case and deliver a just verdict.
The change in judges has raised questions about how it will impact the trial proceedings and potential outcomes. Some speculate that the new judge may bring a different interpretation of the evidence and legal arguments presented, which could influence the final decision.
Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, has maintained his innocence throughout the legal process and is hopeful that the new judge will provide a fair trial. His legal team has expressed confidence in Judge Johnson’s ability to preside over the case fairly and without bias.
As the trial moves forward with a new judge at the helm, all eyes will be on the courtroom to see how the proceedings unfold. The outcome of this trial could have far-reaching implications for Young Thug’s career and reputation, making it a pivotal moment in his life.
Overall, the appointment of a new judge to Young Thug’s trial adds another layer of intrigue to an already compelling legal saga. With Judge Johnson now overseeing the case, the rapper and his legal team are hopeful for a fair and just resolution to the charges against him. Only time will tell how this change will impact the final outcome of the trial.
