Deamonte Kendrick, a co-defendant in the high-profile case involving rapper Young Thug, was stabbed in jail on Sunday while awaiting a jury verdict, his attorney confirmed.
Kendrick, who performs under the name Yak Gotti, appeared in court Monday with four to five staples in his head following the altercation. Attorney Doug Weinstein assured reporters outside the Fulton County Courthouse that Kendrick is “doing really well” despite the injury.
“It’s a shame that anyone held in our jails has to go through that,” Weinstein said.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, Natalie Ammons, stated via email that Kendrick was injured during a fight with another detainee at the jail’s south annex in Union City. Ammons described the injuries as minor and said they were caused by “a sharp object.” An investigation into the incident is underway.
Weinstein criticized the Sheriff’s Office for what he called a lack of transparency regarding the attack. He believes the weapon used was an improvised shank. Despite the incident, Kendrick remains focused on the jury’s impending verdict.
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“He’s not dwelling on the stabbing,” Weinstein said. “Deamonte is focused on the verdict, and he’s hopeful that he’ll be out soon.”
This is not the first violent incident involving the defendants in the case. Kendrick’s co-defendant, Shannon Stillwell, was stabbed at the Fulton County Jail last year, temporarily halting the trial.
Both Kendrick and Stillwell were among 28 individuals indicted alongside Young Thug in May 2022 on charges including gang activity, murder, drug, and firearm offenses under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
The trial, which began nearly two years ago with jury selection, has been marked by delays and high stakes. Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, pleaded guilty in October and was released on probation. Kendrick and Stillwell, however, rejected plea deals and opted not to present evidence or witnesses during their defense.
The jury began deliberations last Tuesday and resumed Monday following the Thanksgiving break. Their decision is expected to bring an end to a year-long courtroom saga.
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