An alleged co-founder of the YSL collective who previously turned himself in after being named in a widely criticized indictment was denied bond this week.
Per a report from WSB-TV, a judge denied Walter Murphy’s bond at the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta on Tuesday. Defense attorney Jacoby Hudson is quoted in the report (and seen in the above video) as having argued “the whole case” is about Young Thug, who is among several people charged in the indictment with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
“The whole case is about Jeffery, Young Thug, Jeffery Lamar Williams,” Hudson said. “That’s who they want. My client don’t wanna talk about Jeffery Williams.”
A prosecutor with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office is reported to have said that Hudson was told if Murphy “cooperated” with the office, the office would in turn “cooperate with him.” The D.A.’s Office, however, pushed back against the argument that the “whole case” is about Young Thug.
Murphy, notably, previously pointed out that YSL is more of a “record label or a family” than the criminal organization law enforcement agencies are claiming it to be. Per the latest report, Murphy’s lawyer is expected to file for a reconsideration of the recently denied bond within 90 days and is said to be confident in its chances.
Attention has turned in recent days to a petition launched by music industry executives Kevin Liles and Julie Greenwald. The “Rap Music on Trial: Protect Black Art” petition was shouted out this past weekend by Young Thug himself, who addressed attendees at Hot 97’s Summer Jam in a pre-recorded message.
When sharing an open letter on Tuesday, Gunna—who was also named in the indictment, which itself is emblematic of an even larger problem within Atlanta’s justice system—alluded to the petition.
“I was raised to fight fire with water, even tho my country’s amendments have failed me,” Gunna said.
