Young Thug is awaiting another pre-trial judgment as prosecutors have filed a motion to ban video cameras from the proceedings of his pending RICO trial citing safety concerns.
New court documents obtained by AllHipHop show Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis filed the motion on November 30, urging Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville to consider the request as an effort to protect the identity of witnesses testifying.
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“Several witnesses have expressed safety concerns to the State and they are concerned about the safety of themselves and their families should they choose to testify,” the motion read. “The State is concerned that video recordings of witnesses’ and victims’ faces could endanger these individuals’ safety.”
Fani Willis added that she was also concerned about how the presence of video cameras at trial might impact the witnesses’ willingness to provide accurate and complete testimonies when called upon.
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“The State is concerned about the impact upon due process and the truth-finding function of the judicial proceeding;” she continued, “witnesses may be afraid to testify and provide full information if they are aware they are being video-recorded, and that their personal safety could be jeopardized as a result of their testimony.”
The Fulton County DA did, however conceded to having audio recording devices in the courtroom once the trial begins on January 9.
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“This Court has the discretion to determine whether or not to allow electronic and photographic coverage of the proceedings;” Willis added, “the State simply asks this Court to prohibit video recording of the trial, while permitting audio recordings so the process will remain open to the public.”
The prosecution’s latest motion was filed just one day after Young Thug ‘s legal team submitted a motion of their own, asking to exclude songs, lyrics, music videos and social posts from admitted as evidence in the case.
“The admission and use of these lyrics/poetry/artistry against [Young Thug] in his upcoming trial would be a Constitutional violation and an abuse of discretion, too prejudicial and unconstitutional,” the motion read. “Moreover, using these lyrics/poetry/artistry/speech against [Young Thug] is racist and discriminatory because the jury will be so poisoned and prejudiced by these lyrics/poetry/artistry/speech.”
Once it begins next month, the trial against Thug, Gunna and multiple members of their YSL collective could last for more than half a year. Those named in the 56-count indictment have been behind bars since May, with both Thug and Gunna being denied their bond requests multiple times since.
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In November, new photos of the platinum-selling artists were released as they appeared in court via video for a pre-trial hearing, with both seen wearing jumpsuits and sporting noticeably longer hair.
During the hearing, Judge Glanville set the January trial date after denying the prosecution’s motion to delay proceedings until March, per 11Alive. “The biggest driver that I see is that I’ve no-bonded most all the people in this trial, and they deserve to have a right to go to trial,” Judge Glanville said.
