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The rapper Young Thug’s trial judge and a Georgia prosecutor from Fulton County District Attorney Fanni Willis’s office got into a heated argument over evidentiary issues on Wednesday.
Fulton County Judge Ural Glanville and Chief Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love got into a furious argument after the judge decided to exclude Love’s requested evidence.
“Why didn’t we file this stuff months ago and let’s wind it out and air it out at that point in time,” Glanville told the defense before asking Love about the matter.
Before excluding the evidence, the judge questioned Love about any conversations the prosecutors had regarding the evidence. Glanville cut her off as Love started to express her frustration, saying, “Well then you all should have gotten yourself together beforehand.”
“Have a seat, madam. Have a seat,” he said after telling court officers to summon the jury, which was not present during the exchange. “You better exclude that and next time, make sure you’re prepared.”
Love stated that her team attempted to communicate with the defense regarding the evidence.
“Oh it’s going to be inadmissible right now,” Glanville replied. “I am not going to have any more discussion about this, madam.”
“Judge, we talked to them this morning about that! And I attempted to talk to them earlier this week!” Love shouted. “Your honor, so the court punishes the state because (of) the defense?”
“I’m not punishing anybody,” the judge replied. “But prior preparation prevents poor performance.”
“We prepared, judge! That’s why I sent them what I sent them last week! A whole week and a half ago! Two weeks, your honor!” Love yelled before Glanville told her the jury was coming into the room.
WATCH:
District Attorney Fani Willis, Love’s supervisor, has drawn national notice for her prosecution of former President Trump on charges of meddling in the election.
Willis faced allegations of having an “improper” relationship with the special counsel she employed to bring charges against Trump, Nathan Wade. Additionally, she was charged with profiting from Wade’s employment in her office. Wade and Willis refuted the accusations.
Wade left the case, enabling Willis to continue working on it.
Love is the chief prosecutor in the Atlanta-based hip-hop artist Young Thug’s trial. Young Thug’s real name is Jeffrey Lamar Williams.
Williams and six other individuals face charges related to their involvement in a violent street gang. He faces allegations of drug and firearm offenses in addition to racketeering conspiracy.
Willis’ office is facing another scandal.
Recently, text messages were produced in court that reveal an investigator working for Willis’s office made inappropriate advances on a witness while working on a case.
During the RICO trial for Young Slime Life (YSL) against rapper Young Thug and several co-defendants, additional information regarding the investigator’s actions surfaced. While cross-examining a female witness known as A.
Bennett, her lawyer questioned her about messages she had received from a county investigator, Hamilton. Among the text messages was one from Hamilton that suggested he wanted to go out on a date with Bennett, saying, “Hit me up if you’re bored later. We’re not gonna talk shop.”
“And this is February 7 of 2024, this year, when the investigator for the DA’s office is supposed to be talking to you about a case, but in fact, is calling you talking about going on a date. Is that true?” Adams asked the witness.
“Yes,” she replied.
Bennett also testified that Hamilton had called her “mama” several times.
In a text message that was shown to the court, the investigator had texted the witness, “G[ood] m[orning] Mama. Hope you slept well. Again don’t come at 1:30. I have a feeling the defense will keep this same witness from yesterday all day again today. I’ll give you an update at 3pm. You will most likely go up tomorrow morning. I’ll talk 2 u soon.”
Newsweek reported: “Bennett is testifying in the case about a robbery that Williams and two others allegedly committed in 2013. Williams and 27 others were indicted in a sweeping RICO case by Willis in May 2022. The district attorney is accusing Williams of being the kingpin of Young Slime Life, an Atlanta-based street gang affiliated with the notorious national Bloods gang.”
“The YSL trial has been underway since November and is expected to go well into 2024. Monday marks the 54th day of the trial. Monday’s text messages are the latest details in the sexual harassment allegations being raised by Williams’ defense team,” the outlet added.
Last month, Bennett testified in court that Hamilton had sexually harassed her. Bennett also reported that Hamilton had once threatened her by saying he wanted to “take her out when the investigation was over.”
The investigator had wanted to discuss the case with Bennett alone at a restaurant, but she didn’t feel comfortable going alone. As a result, she brought her 2-year-old son along.
