Young Thug ’s attorney was held in contempt of court Monday after refusing to tell the 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 murder Donovan “Peanut” Thomas (a member of an alleged rival gang, YFN). That Williams knew the car would be used in the crime is a major part of the state’s racketeering and gang case against the rapper and the alleged YSL gang.
But Copeland himself notably spent the weekend in jail after being held in contempt last Friday for suddenly refusing to testify (even though he’d been granted immunity for his testimony). On Monday morning, June 10, Copeland did take the stand, but according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution , spent his time dodging questions. It was reportedly during the day’s lunch break that Steel learned about the meeting, which had allegedly taken place that morning.
Steel appeared to allege that, during the meeting, Copeland may have been coerced or intimidated ahead of his testimony. “How about the witness, how about Mr. Copeland, who supposedly announced that he’s not testifying and he’ll 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?” Steel said.
He then said that he h.