Bossip
Video
Young
Thug
–
Source:
WWD
/
Getty
Following
extreme
backlash,
petitions,
and
in-house
debating,
a
judge
ruled
that
Young
Thug’s
lyrics
can
be
used
as
evidence
in
the
YSL
RICO
trial.
After
almost
a
year,
the
YSL
RICO
trial
has
seated
its
jury
and
now
the
actual
trial
can
move
forward.
Gathering
the
jury
was
the
biggest
hurdle
on
a
short
list
of
obstacles
to
overcome.
Another
urgent
matter
involved
the
use
of
song
lyrics
as
evidence.
According
to
the
Associated
Press,
the
matter
has
been
decided
and
did
not
go
in
Young
Thug
or
YSL’s
favor.
“The
question
is
not
rap
lyrics.
The
question
is
gang
lyrics,”
prosecutor
Mike
Carlson
told
the
judge
during
a
hearing
Wednesday,
later
adding.
“These
are
party
admissions.
They
happen
to
come
in
the
form
of
lyrics.”
Defense
attorney
Doug
Weinstein’s
rebuttal
was
simple,
the
defendant’s
lyrics
are
performative
as
they
are
playing
characters.
He
also
pointed
out
how
the
prosecution
would
essentially
have
an
easy
win
if
they
got
to
use
the
lyrics.
“They’re
going
to
look
at
these
lyrics
and
instantly
say
they
are
guilty,”
he
said.
“They
are
not
going
to
look
at
the
evidence
that’s
actually
probative
of
their
guilt
once
these
lyrics
get
in
front
of
them.”
-said
Weinstein
who
represents
Yak
Gotti.
After
taking
almost
a
year
to
compile
a
jury
Judge
Ural
Glanville
didn’t
waste
much
time
listening
to
lyric
arguments
and
in
the
end,
he
decided
to
allow
17
sets
of
lyrics
in
the
trial.
There
is
one
stipulation,
however;
the
prosecution
must
show
that
the
lyrics
are
related
to
specific
crimes
outlined
in
the
case.
AP
also
reports
that
the
lyrics
have
to
fit
into
three
categories;
they
have
to
prove
YSL
is
a
criminal
enterprise,
prove
Young
Thug
is
the
leader,
and
prove
criminal
gang
activity
about
specific
crimes
in
the
indictment.
You
can
watch
Judge
Glanville
explain
his
ruling
below.
