‘Biased’ Juror Asks To Be Removed From YSL Trial As Case Drags On
A juror in the YSL trial asked to be removed from the jury on Tuesday and predicted the long-running trial could last several more months before coming to a close.
Deamonte Kendrick, also known as Yak Gotti, and Shannon Stillwell, also known as SB, are charged with multiple counts related to racketeering conspiracy and participation in criminal street gang activity, along with drug and gun violations.
Prosecutors claim that Kendrick and Stillwell were part of a gang called YSL.
They were originally on trial with rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, and three others. Williams, Rodalius Ryan, Marquavius Huey and Quamarvious Nichols took plea deals last week.
Deamonte Kendrick and Shannon Stillwell are still on trial in the YSL case after their co-defendants accepted plea deals. A juror asked to be removed from the trial’s jury on Tuesday.
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The trial has been going on for over a year, with jury selection beginning in January of 2023 and taking nearly 10 months to complete.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker addressed the matter in the courtroom Tuesday morning before bringing the jury in.
“We have another issue, because we can’t have more than one normal, no-issue trial day in a row,” Whitaker said.
She said the juror sent two emails to her assistant on Monday morning. She read the messages to the prosecution and defense.
“I am requesting to be removed from the current case,” the first email said. “Due to the length of this trial and how the state has handled this case, I can no longer be unbiased towards any decisions moving forward. Yesterday provided a glimpse of how the state presented its evidence, and I foresee another three to six months with the remaining defendants.
The second email was similar but said “I will be biased towards any decisions moving forward,” rather than “I can no longer be unbiased.”
Whitaker noted that the juror had asked to be excused once before.
“This is the same juror who, a few months back, asked to be removed from the case and provided no reason whatsoever, and so I just ignored it,” Whitaker said. “I just said, ‘No, you’re not removed, doesn’t work that way.’ And so I think this is just a ploy to get off of a case that he’s sick of being on because it’s taking up his time.”
The prosecution raised concerns about the juror’s ability to remain impartial, which Whitaker dismissed.
“Frankly, if y’all are presenting the case in a way that is driving a juror crazy, that’s on you,” Whitaker said.
The defense asked Whitaker if she could tell the juror that the trial is not expected to run for another three to six months.
The juror was brought into the courtroom. Whitaker told the juror that it is “probable” that the trial will be over by the end of the year.
She then asked if the juror could still assess the evidence with an open mind and decide the case based on the evidence alone. They answered the questions affirmatively.
Whitaker said the juror could go back to the jury room.
Prosecutors continued to call witnesses on Tuesday, including several law enforcement officers.
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