Two more defendants accepted plea deals mid-trial Wednesday Young ThugLong-running Georgia gang and racketeering conspiracy investigation. Rodalius Ryan, 20, and Marquavius ​​Huey, 28, pleaded guilty under separate agreements that did not require a signed statement of fact and did not require an agreement to testify against others.

The new agreements mean that Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, will now only be tried along with two other defendants: Deamonte “Yak Gotti” Kendrick and Shannon Stillwell. Both men are charged with the 2015 murder of Donovan Thomas, who figures prominently in the state case. Williams is not charged with murder.

Ryan pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO law and was immediately sentenced to 10 years in prison, commuted to time served. He is already serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole for the 2019 murder of Jamari Holmes. His lawyer told the court that Ryan was 15 when Holmes died and hoped to be released on appeal. Holmes’ murder listed as an overt act in state records Comprehensive indictment with 65 articles When it was sealed two years ago, it named more than two dozen defendants, including Williams.

Ryan’s lawyer, Leah Abbasi, told the court during the plea hearing: “We categorically and firmly deny that YSL is the criminal and dangerous street gang that has been portrayed during this hearing.” Fulton County Judge Paige Reese Whitaker accepted Ryan’s plea and said she found “a factual basis” for the claim based on court records.

Huey pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO law, as well as several other crimes, including robbery, which was reduced from armed robbery. Under Huey’s agreement, prosecutors agreed to dismiss other charges, including allegations of hijacking and aggravated assault. Judge Whitaker immediately sentenced Huey to 25 years in prison; For this, he was sentenced to nine years of detention, nine years of supervised release and five years of suspension. (Huey had already served two years in prison since his involvement in the YSL case while he was already in custody.) Huey had originally been indicted on 19 counts and was facing the possibility of multiple life sentences. Judge Whitaker called the settlement “extraordinary” and a “great opportunity” to turn his life around.

“I want to apologize to my children, my family, and everyone who supports me. I plan to serve my time, come back and be a better man,” Huey told the court after his sentencing.

“Mr. Huey is very grateful to be able to resolve his case today,” said his lead attorney, Careton Matthews Sr. Rolling stone. “He was facing three life sentences and resolved his case in a way that would allow him to be released without the need for a cooperating witness and possibly within a few years. “A dark period in his life is coming to an end and he is looking forward to a bright future.”

Ryan and Huey entered the plea a day after Quamarvation Nichols signed the plea agreement midway through the first trial in what has become the longest trial in Georgia state history. Nichols, 29, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO law. Six other charges, including the murder charge, were dismissed as part of the deal. Judge Whitaker immediately sentenced Nichols to the agreed-upon sentence of 20 years in prison, including seven years of probation and 13 years of supervised release. He was facing a possible life sentence.

Nichols’ attorney, Bruce Harvey, said his client agreed to admit to two “drug incidents” dating back to 2017 and 2018, but nothing more. “We categorically deny and oppose Mr. Nichols’ use of violence,” Harvey told Judge Whitaker. Under the agreement, Nichols is not required to testify against the other defendants or even admit to the “underlying facts” of the indictment, which alleges the defendants are part of a violent street gang called YSL. Harvey said the two drug charges were “sufficient” to “meet the elements of the crime” that Nichols pleaded to.

Nichols was accused of murdering Shymel Drinks, an alleged partner of rival Atlanta rapper YFN Lucci, in 2022. Stillwell still faces a murder charge in connection with Drinks’ death.

“Shannon Stillwell has been falsely accused of the crimes alleged in this indictment,” said Stillwell’s attorney, Max Schardt. Rolling stone. “We never hesitated. Mr. Stillwell is innocent and we are fully prepared to pursue this case in Court when the trial resumes. “We appreciate and continue to seek the support of the many people who have followed this case over the past two years.”

Kendrick’s lawyer Douglas Weinstein explains Rolling stone his team will remain “open to any reasonable plea offer” and will discuss them with Kendrick “as is our responsibility” in the midst of such a long and unpredictable trial. “We are encouraged by the plea agreements negotiated by our co-defendant’s attorney. These agreements eliminated the uncertainty inherent in any jury trial and provided certainty in a long, stressful trial,” he said in an email late Wednesday.

Huey and Nichols seemed to have the most clout last round of defense negotiations After an evidence accident last week. Following the incident, Judge Whitaker signaled that he was considering ordering a trial without prejudice, which would mean prosecutors could rehear the case. In the Oct. 23 evidence leak, rapper Wunnie “SlimeLife Shawty” Lee, a former defendant who previously took a plea deal, read aloud to the jury part of an Instagram post that needed to be redacted. The redaction was a tag that said “Free Qua”. As soon as Lee read the hashtag, there was an audible reaction in the courtroom. Live broadcast provided by Law and Crime.

Nichols’ defense immediately called for a trial with prejudice, saying extravagant testimony could lead jurors to conclude that Nichols had previously been in custody. Prosecutors objected to a mistrial, saying it was unclear to whom the “Qua” in the hashtag referred. Both Nichols and Huey use “Qua” as a nickname. Huey’s team joined the motion to quash the trial on the same grounds, saying it could be prejudicial.

“We’re not going to be able to ring this bell,” argued Nicole Westmoreland, an attorney on Nichols’ team. Judge Whitaker, He scolded prosecutors last month Regarding a different witness’ alleged mistreatment, he said he considered the crash “sloppy” but ultimately it was a “mistake”. If he grants a mistrial, he said, it would be without prejudice. Another option, he said, is for prosecutors to prepare a jury instruction that would make clear that the hashtag is not related to any of the defendants. Prosecutors said they weren’t sure.

“What I’m trying to do is correct your sloppiness so that everybody doesn’t waste 10, 12 months of their life on this trial,” Judge Whitaker responded. After sentencing Nichols on Tuesday, Judge Whitaker adjourned the hearing for the day without further argument. The abrupt ending appeared to return the case to the state of limbo that began last week. It soon became clear that defense negotiations were continuing.

Williams pleaded not guilty to the eight charges brought against him within the scope of the indictment. The charges include conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO law, participation in a street gang, drug possession and possession of a machine gun. He was not charged with any of the three murders named in the indictment. Prosecutors allege he founded and operated YSL, also known as Young Slime Life. Meanwhile, Williams says YSL has a record label called Young Stoner Life and that he doesn’t even know some of the 28 defendants named in the indictment.

Williams has been in prison with consecutive judges since May 2022. refuse to give him bail. Of the 27 others originally charged, nine took plea deals before the current trial began, and the other 12 will be tried separately. Prosecutors dropped the case against a defendant convicted of murder in an unrelated case.