YFN Lucci’s murder and racketeering trial has been delayed due to Young Thug’s RICO trial, which is set to begin on January 9.
Atlanta-based reporter George Chidi tweeted the update after speaking with Lucci’s attorney, who claimed a judge said that while Lucci’s trial was set to begin the same day as Thugga’s, Lucci’s was delayed so that the “Everyday We Lit” rapper could potentially be called on as a testifying witness.
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“YFN Lucci’s trial was due to begin January 9, same as Young Thug’s. The YFN gang and RICO case is just as wide-ranging as the YSL case,” Chidi tweeted. “The two are connected; Lucci is a witness. But Lucci’s trial date has been postponed, his attorney said Tuesday. No new court date has been set.”
As his replies became flooded with questions, Chidi clarified a few details, pointing out that just because Lucci is on the state’s witness list — which contains a host of other Hip Hop figures — it doesn’t necessarily mean he will take the stand.
“And here we go. For clarification: Lucci is on the state’s witness list. That doesn’t mean he’s going to testify, but he could still be called. Don’t @ me with questions about snitching. I don’t care,” he added.
YFN Lucci's trial was due to begin January 9, same as Young Thug's. The YFN gang and RICO case is just as wide ranging as the YSL case. The two are connected; Lucci is a witness.
But Lucci's trial date has been postponed, his attorney said Tuesday. No new court date has been set.— George Chidi (find me on Mastodon) (@neonflag) January 5, 2023
And here we go.
For clarification: Lucci is on the state’s witness list. That doesn’t mean he’s going to testify, but he could still be called.
Don’t @ me with questions about snitching. I don’t care.
— George Chidi (find me on Mastodon) (@neonflag) January 5, 2023
The update comes after YFN Lucci’s attorney previously claimed the rapper wouldn’t be testifying during Young Thug’s trial, despite his name being mentioned in the RICO indictment.
Lucci was stabbed by a fellow inmate while in jail in March 2021. Prosecutors allege two YSL associates were behind the attack, and worked to get Thug’s permission to make a second attempt on the rapper’s life.
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A judge had initially claimed that Lucci (real name Rashawn Bennett) would have his day in court on May 12, 2022. This has since been pushed back numerous times, and Lucci remains in custody at Fulton County Jail.
The Atlanta rapper first turned himself into police in January 2021 after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection to the shooting death of 28-year-old James Adams.
He was charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, participation in criminal street gang activity and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
YFN Lucci posted bail, but was soon arrested again when he was listed as part of a sprawling, 105-count racketeering indictment focused on factions of the Bloods gang. Lucci turned himself in to police on May 2021 and tried to post bail again, but a judge denied his motion.
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Lucci and his lawyer Drew Findling have continued to maintain the rapper’s innocence. “He’s not a gang member,” Findling said. “What he is is an internationally recognized musical artist that is a triple platinum winner, that has performed all over the United States and all over the world.”
As for Young Thug (real name Jeffrey Williams), the jury selection process for his own trial began in Fulton County, Georgia this week. The 31-year-old faces a total of eight charges as part of a 65-count RICO case against his YSL collective.
These include conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and two counts of participation in criminal street gang activity, which were filed when the rapper was originally indicted in May 2022.
He has also been charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of codeine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun.
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The high-profile trial is expected to last for well over six months, with the media pool schedule running through September 23, according to Law & Crime reporter Cathy Russon.
Young Thug has maintained his innocence, although the recent series of plea deals taken by his co-defendants — including Gunna — are expected to complicate his fight for freedom.
