The RICO trial against Young Thug and YSL continues to surprise with unexpected moments. In the latest surprise, prosecution witness Kenneth “Lil Woody” Copeland fired his attorney while he was testifying.
Last Tuesday, June 11, on day 89 of the RICO trial against Young Thug and YSL, which is taking place in Fulton County Superior Court, Kenneth “Lil Woody” Copeland, former partner of YSL, made the decision abrupt dismissal of his attorney, Kayla Bumpus, while she was testifying. Copeland bluntly announced before Judge Ural Glanville: “She is fired.”
Legal options for Lil Woody
Judge Glanville, surprised by the decision, offered Copeland two options: hire another lawyer or allow the court to assign him a new one. However, Copeland responded defiantly: “Why do I need a lawyer? I’m fine“. Faced with this situation, the judge ordered Bumpus to present the corresponding withdrawal documents, giving Copeland a period of ten days to decide his next step. Meanwhile, Bumpus had to continue attending the trial.
Kenneth “Lil Woody” Copeland, initially arrested for refusing to testify, had agreed to cooperate with prosecutors after informing police of an alleged murder plot involving Young Thug in 2021. However, upon taking the stand on June 7, he invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, refusing to testify and being arrested for contempt of court. After spending the weekend in jail, he decided to resume his testimony on Monday, June 10.
Tense moments in the courtroom
On Monday, a private meeting between Copeland, Judge Glanville and prosecutors, without Young Thug’s defense team present, raised additional tensions. Young Thug’s attorney, Brian Steel, strongly protested the lack of transparency, prompting the judge to require him to reveal who had informed him about the confidential meeting. When Steel refused, he was found in contempt of court and sentenced to 20 days in jail.
YSL and Young Thug’s RICO trial continues to unfold with unexpected twists and surprising decisions. The dismissal of YSL lawyer Woody in full testimony adds another layer of complexity to this already complicated legal process. Attention now turns to how Kenneth “Lil Woody” Copeland will proceed and what impact these events will have on the trial’s final verdict.
Let us also remember that this case already marked a before and after at a legal level, since it was the first case related to the world of rap where the lyrics of the artists’ songs will be used as evidence. A trial that has been going on for several years and that reveals different problems in legal ethics.
Read more
