A judge has denied bond for Gunna and set a trial date for early next year.
According to reporter Jewel Wicker, who was at Monday’s hearing, Gunna’s trial date has been set for Jan. 9, 2023. As for the issue of bond, Gunna’s lawyer has the option of filing another motion in the future.
Per a report from Fox 5 Atlanta, Gunna entered a not guilty plea Monday on one count of allegedly violating Georgia racketeering law. Prosecutors also alleged Gunna was “not just an associate” of YSL, describing him on Monday as both a “documented gang member” and someone who was in a “command position.” In denying bond, the judge claimed Gunna represents a “danger to witnesses and other folks tied to this.”
Young Thug did not enter his plea on Monday as his bond ruling has been delayed. “His attorneys’ request for bond was postponed until early next month pending a motion by the state to have attorney Brian Steel disqualified as Williams’ counsel because he represents others named in the 56-count indictment,” writes the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Both Gunna and Young Thug were among those named in an 88-page RICO indictment this month. The 56-count indictment names 28 people in connection with charges including conspiracy to violate RICO, murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and more.
Amid news coverage of the indictment and subsequent arrests, criticism on how such cases contribute to the ongoing criminalization of lyrics has continued to build. Notably, lyrics and videos from Young Thug and Gunna (as well as other artists) are mentioned in the indictment.
Lyrics were indeed brought into court on Monday, with a prosecutor highlighting lines about “snipers” and their alleged reflection of reality:
A number of artists have also offered public messages of support following the initial indictment, including T.I. and Metro Boomin. The latter addressed the case in a series of tweets in which he pointed to the aforementioned criminalization of lyrics, as well as attempts from prosecutors to posit YSL as a gang.
“Using song lyrics to indict n***as is lame af and a joke,” Metro said earlier this month. “These the same lyrics that have made billions for these corporations over the past decade.”
Complex has reached out to reps for Gunna for comment on the latest developments.
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