The Young Thug YSL RICO trial has continued to take wild twists and turns, and this time, an investigator from District Attorney Fani Willis’ office has found himself in the crosshairs after he appeared to sexually harass a witness over text.
In a recording played for the jury on Monday (April 8), it was revealed that Investigator Rasheed Hamilton began sending personal messages to a witness identified only as A. Bennett.
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Bennett, who complained about Hamilton’s harassment of her last month, claimed that Hamilton tried to “date” her as he continued to try to win her over to testify against Thugga and his co-defendants.
“Hit me up if you’re bored later. We’re not gonna talk shop,” he wrote in one text.
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Young Thug’s lawyers were alerted to the text messages, and Keith Adams — a member of the rapper’s legal team — directly addressed them with Bennett during her testimony.
“Did he address you as ‘mama’ on more than one occasion?” Adams asked.
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“Yes,” Bennett answered.
“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 to you about going on a date. Is that true?” he asked.
“Yes,” Bennett answered.
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Take a listen to the recording below.
Young Thug YSL RICO trial: Investigator exposed for sexually harassing witness over text pic.twitter.com/caqXKbRrDC
— HipHopDX (@HipHopDX) April 9, 2024
Prosecutors, however, argued that Hamilton’s text messages to Bennett were little more than “niceties” that they extended to all witnesses during the trial.
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Thugger, through his attorney Brian Steel, had submitted a motion to disqualify Chief Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love from prosecuting the high-profile case.
The motion argued that Love overseeing the trial “seriously threaten[ed]” Thug’s right to a fair trial.
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It continued, saying that Love had unlawfully inserted herself into the proceedings and essentially became an unsworn witness due to the nature of her questioning of a witness during the trial.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ office responded to the motion, saying the defense “provide[d] no compelling authority for the proposition that her disqualification is required.”
Ruling on the motion on Thursday (April 4), Judge Ural Glanville sided with the prosecution and said Love can stay on the trial.
The trial, which has already been going on for four months, does not appear to be any closer to concluding.
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Of the 153 witnesses listed in the case, only around 40 have taken the stand so far. The proceedings are expected to last for at least the remainder of the year.
