Jurors who spent nearly two years in the trial of YSL and hip-hop superstar Young Thug describe what it was like to put their lives on hold for the longest criminal trial in Georgia history.
Channel 2’s Michael Seiden spoke to three jurors, all working mothers, who said this was their first time serving on a jury.
“I think we’re sisterly right now,” one said.
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Jurors 387, 508 and 225 said they consider each other family after the lengthy trial.
The jury acquitted the two remaining defendants, rapper Yak Gotti, also known as Deamonte Kendrick, and Shannon Stillwell, of murder, gang and racketeering charges. Stillwell was convicted of gun possession, but will serve his sentence on probation.
“I want the public to know that we really took this very seriously. We have considered all the evidence provided to us. Everyone really took their civic duty to heart,” another juror told Seiden.
Jurors 387 and 508 heard all testimony but were named alternates before deliberation. Juror 387 said she didn’t just listen to the evidence; she also paid attention to lawyers’ body language.
“I think it was distracting,” she said of the accusers’ body language. “There were a lot of different points and moments where we realized people were having reactions to things and tried to keep it as professional as possible.”
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Juror 508 said she didn’t visit social media and didn’t know about the chaos until after the trial.
Juror 225 told Seiden this was the first jury trial.
“I think the case as a whole was presented in a rather disorganized manner. It was hard for a lot of us judges to follow,” she explained.
They say their hearts go out to the victim’s family, but the prosecution simply didn’t provide enough evidence.
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