Key Witness’ Response to Lawyer’s Question Frustrates Judge in YSL Trial

The judge in the YSL trial called out a key witness for her misleading answer to a question during cross-examination from defense on Monday.
Deamonte Kendrick, also known as Yak Gotti, and Shannon Stillwell, also known as SB, are charged with multiple counts related to racketeering conspiracy and participation in criminal street gang activity, along with murder and drug and gun violations. They have both pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecutors claim that Kendrick and Stillwell were part of a gang called YSL, or Young Slime Life.
They were initially on trial with rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, and three others. Williams, Rodalius Ryan, Marquavius Huey and Quamarvious Nichols took plea deals last month.
Investigator Marissa Viverito, an investigative gang analyst for the Atlanta Police Department, is the final witness on the prosecution’s list. She has been testifying since Thursday.
The defense asked Viverito about a song called “Slatt Talk” by Stillwell. One of the lyrics said: “I beat a murder rap.”
Stillwell’s lawyer, Max Schardt, asked Viverito if Stillwell had ever “beaten” a homicide charge. While Stillwell is facing a murder charge for the death of Donovan Thomas, he has never been acquitted or convicted of a homicide before.
“That’s a real slippery slope to explain that,” Viverito said.
The prosecution asked for permission to approach the bench. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker then asked the jury to leave the room so she could question Viverito’s response.
“Mr. Schardt asked you a very specific question and you seemed to have answered in a way that surprises everybody, so we need to get some clarity from you,” Judge Whitaker said.
Schardt asked Viverito the same question again. She said that from her understanding, Stillwell was under the impression that they were going to “beat” the Thomas case and “it wasn’t going to be an issue.”
Judge Whitaker told Viverito that was not the question she was asked. Viverito then tried to say she did not know the “specific outcome” of cases Stillwell has been involved in, to which Judge Whitaker pointed out that Stillwell has never been on trial for murder before.
“Don’t say I don’t know the specific outcome if he has never been tried for one other than the one he’s on trial for right now,” the judge said.
Viverito said she was unsure if Schardt was referring to cases that had been dropped.
“Being given a bond before a trial ever occurs is not a yes answer for ‘has he ever been tried and acquitted,'” the judge added.
Judge Whitaker has previously challenged Viverito’s testimony, for giving her opinion in her response. On Thursday, Viverito said Huey, a co-defendant who accepted a plea deal, was “very proud of his affiliation with Young Slime Life.”
“Don’t provide commentary like that, O.K.? Just if you’re testifying the facts, just give us the facts,” Judge Whitaker said.
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