Young Thug's attorney was held in contempt of court Monday after he refused to tell a judge how he heard about an alleged private conversation between a key state witness, prosecutors and the judge himself.
The alleged conversation involved Kenneth Copeland, who was expected to testify that Young Thug (real name Jeffrey Williams) knew he was renting a car as part of a plan to kill Donovan “Peanut” Thomas (a member of an alleged rival gang, YFN). That Williams knew the car would be used in the crime is a key part of the state's racketeering and gangland case against the rapper and the alleged YSL gang.
But Copeland himself spent the weekend in jail after being held in contempt last Friday for suddenly refusing to testify (despite being granted immunity for his testimony). On Monday morning, June 10, Copeland took the stand, but according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitutionhe spent his time avoiding questions.
During the day's lunch break, Steel reportedly learned of the meeting, which had allegedly taken place that morning. Steel appeared to claim that, during the meeting, Copeland may have been coerced or intimidated into testifying.
“How about the witness, how about Mr. Copeland, who supposedly announced that he would not testify and sit for two years and, supposedly, this honorable court, or let me rephrase that, this court, said I can hold you until the end of this trial?' said Steel.
He then said he heard one of the prosecutors allegedly reminded Copeland that he could be held until all 26 defendants involved in the YSL case go to trial. “If this is true, this is coercion, witness intimidation, after-the-fact announcements that we have a constitutional right to be present,” Steel said.
The dispute became increasingly controversial when Judge Ural Glanville asked Steel to reveal the source of this information. Steel declined to say, and instead asked why he hadn't been included in the alleged conversation. “How did you get this information, supposedly, from my chambers?” Glanville asked at one point. “Did someone tell you?”
“You should have told me,” Steele replied.
Glanville never seemed to deny that a meeting had taken place, even saying at one point that there was “nothing inappropriate” about the former conversation. During an exchange with Williams' attorney Keith Adams, Glanville emphasized that it was the leak that disappointed him, calling it “such a violation of the sanctity of the courtroom and an afterthought.”
When Adams tried to argue that the conversation was “a violation of Mr. Williams' rights,” Glanville repeatedly said, “That's not what happened.”
Eventually, Glanville scorned Steel and told courthouse deputies to take him into custody. As he was escorted out, Steel again called for injustice and said: “You are taking me away against his will, my will, and taking away [Williams’] right to counsel”.
However, Steel was allowed back into court and even the state's chief prosecutor asked to be left behind for the rest of the day. Glanville allowed it, but told him he had until about 5pm to reveal his source, lest he be charged with contempt. “You may remove this contempt by telling me who it is who told you this information,” said Glanville. “That's all I need to know.”
By the end of the day, Steel had not revealed his source, and his wife (and lawyer) reportedly had filed notice appeal on the contempt charge.
from our partners at https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/young-thug-lawyer-brian-steel-held-contempt-custody-1235037327/