Reports say that Young Thug was denied bond in a hearing yesterday (June 2nd) and he will remain in jail until January 2023. According to Complex, the judge cited concerns about witnesses being threatened or harmed when explaining the decision to deny Thug’s bond. The rapper watched the hearing remotely from Cobb County Jail.
The judge said, “There have been significant proffers about Mr. Williams being a danger to the community. In particular, the state’s proffer that they have taken proffers from other gang members and people who are in this particular indictment and that are not in this indictment, that he is the leader of the gang, he is dangerous, and if he crosses them, he will kill them or their families.”
300 Entertainment co-founder Kevin Liles took the stand to defend Thug, saying, “I’m willing to back him personally and professionally.” He continued, “I’ve been a fan for 12 years. I’ve gotten to know him personally over the last 10 years. I’m kind of emotional because of how good this guy is. I’ve been in this music thing called hip-hop for 38 years and for the life of me, I don’t understand why I have to testify of the good that hip-hop has done around the world.” Machine Gun Kelly also shared a message of support for Thug at the trial.
Also during the hearing, prosecutors quoted Thug’s lyrics such as those from his So Much Fun song “Just How It Is” when arguing that the rapper should not be released on bond. The lines that were read from the track were: “Ask the cops, ask the detectives, they know all the business/Ask the cops and the detectives, all the jurisdictions/Ask the kids at school who ambition all the missions/Gave the lawyer close to two mil’, he handle all the killings.” Prosecutors argued that Thug’s lyrics are based on real life situations and accused the rapper of being the head and founder of the Young Slime Life street gang.
Thug, born Jeffrey Williams, has been charged with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act in a 56-count indictment that also included rapper Gunna and more. Gunna's bond was also denied. His trial date has been scheduled for January 9th, 2023.