YSL rapper Yak Gotti is celebrating after seeing three of his charges dropped in the long-running YSL RICO trial, which he says could see him out of jail by Christmas.
In a post to Instagram on Thursday (November 21), Yak shared a photo of himself in court as he celebrated both the dropped charges and his 32nd birthday.
“Locked in the system, I’m just thankful to be livin, See yall by Christmas, God willing Thanksgiving, 3 Charges dropped, Plus unlimited support, Best birthday wishes,” he captioned the picture.
According to 11 Alive, Judge Paige Whitaker ruled for the directed verdict on three counts against Yak (real name Deamonte Kendrick) in court the day prior, which effectively dismisses them because “there is no legally sufficient evidentiary basis for a reasonable jury to reach a different conclusion.” All three centered around drug possession and/or intent to distribute.
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Judge Whitaker did, however, deny a motion from Yak’s legal team for directed verdicts on his other charges, including the RICO charge.
Closing arguments in the YSL trial begin Monday (November 25), with only Yak Gotti and Shannon Stillwell (aka SB) remaining of the 28 men who were initially arrested in May 2022.
Last month, Young Thug, Rodalius Ryan (also known as Lil Rod) and Marquavius Huey (aka Qua) were the latest to receive plea deals in the nearly year-long trial.
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Ryan, who is already serving time for murder, pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) act, which carries a sentence of 10 years. But that will be commuted to time served as he continues to appeal his murder conviction.
Huey’s plea deal sees him sentenced to 25 years in prison, but he will only serve nine of those after originally facing the prospect of three life sentences.
In a bizarre moment after the plea deals were announced, a lawyer representing a separate YSL defendant made a “Slatt” sign while talking to the media as a show of solidarity with those still on trial.
Thug’s deal came the following day, where he pleaded guilty to all counts, aside from the charge of racketeering and the charge of being a gang leader. To those, he pleaded nolo contendere – which means he neither admits nor denies a charge.
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He was released hours later and given 15 years of probation, of which he will be on active reporting status for the first seven and a half years.
He is banned from being in his hometown of Atlanta and the city’s extended metro area for the next ten years. Exceptions will be made for family gatherings limited to weddings, funerals, graduations and serious illness.
The “Ski” rapper must also return to Metro Atlanta four times a year to participate in anti-gang/gun presentations or concerts. Additionally, Young Thug will be allowed to travel for work purposes only and is forbidden from promoting any gang-related content.
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