Doug Weinstein’s Perspective on the Young Thug Trial Drama

On today’s episode of Jewish Time, host Jeff Silberblatt delves into the high-profile YSL Young Slime Life court case with criminal attorney Doug Weinstein, who represents Deamonte Kendrick, aka Yak Gotti. Doug offers an insider’s perspective on the trial proceedings that have unfolded over the past two years. From the controversial involvement of Judge Granville to the unreliable testimony of Kenneth Copeland, aka Lil Woody, Doug provides a candid account of the challenges and intricacies of this prolonged trial. He also shares his thoughts on the skilled legal team involved and the stark contrasts between criminal and patent cases. Doug emphasizes that while this case has been undeniably bizarre, the reality is that defendants are sitting in Fulton County Jail every day, awaiting their fate in a place no one would want to be.

About Doug Weinstein:
Doug Weinstein is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, the University of Alabama Birmingham, and the University of New Hampshire. After graduating from law school at the top of his class, he litigated for almost 25 years in federal and state courts with the top law firms in the country. Mr. Weinstein is a seasoned attorney with over 20 years of experience providing counsel to companies of all sizes, from startups to Fortune 100, focused on intellectual property and business matters.

About the YSL trial:
Young Thug, born Jeffery Williams, was initially charged in May 2022 alongside 27 associates with violating the Georgia state criminal racketeering law, or RICO. Prosecutors say that Mr. Williams was a leader of YSL, or Young Slime Life, a subset of the national Bloods gang and that he oversaw a criminal conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, witness intimidation and drug dealing. Doug Weinstein is representing Deamonte Kendrick, aka Yak Gotti. Kendrick is charged with conspiracy to violate RICO, murder (2015 murder of Donovan Thomas), participation in criminal street gang activity, three counts of violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a machine gun, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon previously convicted of a felony involving the use or possession of a firearm.

IN THIS EPISODE:
[2:01] Doug describes how he became involved in the Young Slime Life court case
[4:17] Doug asks Judge Granville to recuse himself, and he discusses the aftermath
[11:36] Discussion regarding Lil Woody (Kenneth Copeland), who is a self-described liar and conversations with Rolling Stone magazine regarding a mistrial
[15:57] Doug reflects on his time spent since the jury selection started and states that trials are highly orchestrated, and he discusses Brian Steele and other excellent Jewish Atlantan criminal attorneys
[20:04] Doug discusses the team he is a part of, representing different clients, and he talks about the differences between arguing a patent case and a criminal case. Doug speculates about who would play him in a movie if it were to be filmed
[24:34] Doug reminds the listeners that the trial has gone on far too long while his client is sitting in jail

KEY TAKEAWAYS
Doug Weinstein knew that the state’s witness, Kenneth Copeland, aka Lil Woody, lied in 2015. Mr. Copeland feels there is a difference between being a snitch and finessing the police.
When Judge Granville did not stop the trial when asked to recuse himself, the witness who continued to testify the following days gave testimony that the jury should not have heard.
This trial has been so bizarre that it will surely be made into a movie.

RESOURCE LINKS:
Jewish Time – Podcast
Weinstein Law – Website
Doug Weinstein – X