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Judge removed from long-running gang and extortion case against rapper Young Thug and others

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ATLANTA (AP) — The judge overseeing the long-running prosecution of rapper Young Thug and others for gang-related and extortion-related crimes has been removed from the case after two defendants sought his recuse, citing a gathering the judge had with prosecutors and a prosecution witness.

Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville suspended the case in Atlanta two weeks ago to provide one other judge a probability to listen to the defendants’ motions to recuse themselves. Judge Rachel Krause on Monday granted those motions and ordered the clerk of the court to reassign the case to a different judge.

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While Krause didn’t blame Glanville for arranging the meeting and stated that she had “no doubt that Judge Glanville can and will continue to preside over this case with integrity,” she wrote that the “need to preserve public confidence in the judicial system” weighs in favor of recusing Judge Glanville” from the case.

The ruling is for certain to cause further delays in a trial that has dragged on for greater than a yr. Jury selection began in January 2023 and lasted nearly 10 months. Opening statements were made in November, and prosecutors have been making their case since then, calling dozens of witnesses.

Young Thug, a Grammy Award winner whose real name is Jeffery Williams, was indicted two years ago in a sweeping indictment that accused him and greater than two dozen others of conspiring to violate Georgia anti-kickback laws. He can be charged with gang, drug and firearms offenses and faces trial with five others charged with him.

Lawyers for Young Thug and co-defendant Deamonte Kendrick filed motions to have Glanville disqualified. They said the judge held a gathering with prosecutors and prosecution witness Kenneth Copeland that was not attended by the defendants or defense attorneys. Defense attorneys argued that the meeting was “improper” and that the judge and prosecutors were attempting to pressure the witness to testify.

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Glanville believed the match was conducted properly and argued that nobody gained a tactical advantage from it.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ office, which is prosecuting the case, argued there was no have to remove Glanville from the case.

Brian Steel, Young Thug’s attorney, said in an emailed statement that his client is innocent and is searching for to clear his name through a good trial.

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“Unfortunately, Judge Glanville and the prosecutors violated their duties under the law,” Steel said, adding that he was grateful for the recusal order and looked forward to “continuing proceedings with a judge who will honestly and faithfully uphold the law.”

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Kendrick’s lawyer, Doug Weinstein, also praised Monday’s decision.

“While I respect Chief Judge Glanville and his service to this community and country, he simply became biased in the course of this case,” he wrote in an email. He added that he looked forward to hearing the case “before an impartial judge” but said the one fair end result at this point was a “mistrial and bail” for Kendrick, who has served greater than two years in prison.

A spokesman for Willis’ office declined to comment. The Associated Press also reached out to Glanville for comment.

Krause wrote in her order that she “generally agrees” with Glanville’s assessment of the appropriateness of the meeting, that nothing in regards to the meeting or what was discussed was inherently improper. She wrote that the meeting “could — and perhaps should have” been held in open court.

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But when Glanville denied Kendrick’s motion to recuse himself in court, he “provided context, challenged the truth of the allegations, and otherwise explained his decisions and actions and argued why those actions were appropriate.” Citing case law, Krause wrote that when a judge discloses information relevant to his potential recuse, he must achieve this “in as objective, impartial, and uncontroversial a manner as possible so that the judge is not reasonably perceived as a hostile witness or advocate.”

Young Thug has enjoyed massive success since he began rapping as a teen and serves as CEO of his own record label, Young Stoner Life, called YSL. Artists on his label are considered a part of the “Slime Family,” and the compilation album Slime Language 2 reached No. 1 on the charts in April 2021.

But prosecutors say YSL also stands for Young Slime Life, which they are saying is a violent Atlanta-based street gang with ties to the national Bloods gang, founded in 2012 by Young Thug and two others. Prosecutors say the individuals named within the indictment are accountable for violent crimes — including homicides, shootings and carjackings — aimed toward raising money for the gang, cultivating its fame and expanding its power and territory.

Steel acknowledged in his opening statement that his client’s songs mention acts of violence, including murder, but said they were merely artistic statements drawn from his difficult childhood and not a chronicle of his own actions.

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com

Entertainment

USC striker kiki iriaphene sneaker deal sneaker from Skechers – and scape

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Just a couple of weeks before the WNBA, Skechers and Kiki Iriafen project, they announced a brand new partnership today. The former striker of the University of Southern California will likely be the primary signing of Skechers in history. Iriafen will likely be the brand’s ambassador from Los Angeles and will appear in global performance brand marketing campaigns when he starts his skilled profession.

“This partnership concerns something more than just basketball. Skechers understand who I am on the pitch and besides what I have to be at the best edition,” said Iriafen in a press release. “I love that the brand is based in LA and has a global range that will help me inspire and influence more women -sportsmen around the world to make my dreams come true. Skechers comfortably better than any other brand I experienced, which I experienced that I give me as a teammate when I go to the next chapter of my life.”

The striker of the University of South California Kiki Iriafen will play in basketball shoes Skechers after entering professionals.

Iriafen is the second woman who joined the Skechers team as an endorser, following the footsteps of Los Angeles Sparks Rickkea Jackson. In the upcoming season it should wear a Skechers basketball model, SKX Nexus. New hot colourful basketball colours will likely be available for purchase on April 15, 2025 on the corporate’s website And select Skechers retail stores.

Iriafen on average 18.6 PPG and 8.5 RPG for Trojans this season, supplying them to the primary place on this yr’s NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Recently, it was called the primary ALL-BIG team within the 2024-25 season and is seen as one of the best perspective on this yr’s WNBA project.

Iriafen joins the list of Skechers athletes, including Joel Ebid, Julius Randle, Clayton Kershaw, Aaron Noli, Norman Powell, Jabari Walker, Josh Green and Terrance Mann.

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Marcus Shorter is a communication specialist and author. When he didn’t write about consistency, cages or rattling disgusting seats, he makes exceptionally nerdy within the texts of rap, politics, poetry and comics.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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Mariah Carey about new music, Rihanna, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and her album Lost Grunge

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It is difficult to assume now, but once within the profession of the star Mariah Carey was once. In 2001, her film “Glitter” was a industrial flop; The album that took place, the introspective “Charmracelet” from 2002, met with a muted response. She was at a crossroads.

And then all the pieces modified. In 2005, Carey published “Emanating of Mimi”. He joined her athletic R&B-Pop with a hip-hop synthesizer and fun, flirtatious, lasting hits-the now was only when she wanted, thanks very much. It sounded without cost, because the title suggested, and the world began her again.

On Saturday, the album is 20 years old. To have a good time, Carey is preparing to release Deluxe, prolonged editions of the album on May 30, with additional songs, new remixes and many others – including the official release of “When Feel It”, the song fans have been waiting since 2005. Originally, that is planned “Emanification of Mimi”, but ultimately because because of dynamic great. “Here is such a feeling.”

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“These are new jewels, as far as I am concerned,” says Carey. “It’s exciting for me.”

Carey discussed the “emancipation of Mimi”, her recent nomination, which is to be introduced to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Rihanna and plans for new music from the Associated Press. The interview was edited for clarity and conciseness.

AP: Has your relationship with “Mimi emancipation” modified over time?

Carey: It’s still one of my favorite albums I made. And, you understand, when he appeared, everyone called it a returning album. … I didn’t really agree since you never think you didn’t go anywhere. Do you understand what I mean?

I just loved songs and performances. People appear to be really concerned with it. And new fans got here from this album.

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AP: I hear rather a lot of creative freedom on this album. Do you’re thinking that this has revitalized your profession?

Carey: I feel it has a funny feeling and definitely feels free of charge. It seems to me that this in a way revitalized my profession. I spent a while creating this album … Working with a number of great people, a number of great colleagues. … it was an experience that I’ll always remember when creating this album.

AP: In June you’ll have a good time one other anniversary. Your debut entitled is 35 years old. When are you considering about this time, did you imagine this profession?

Carey: I do not know. I actually was so involved and rooted in creating music and the new profession that I set off. And it was amazing. I mean, that is what I desired to do all my life. And then I did it.

AP: You are also nominated for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025.

Carey: It’s an enormous honor. I do not know if I’m going to win it, so I don’t desire to get excited an excessive amount of. So I just wish to say that it is a huge honor again and I probably didn’t expect it. I actually didn’t think about it. And here we’re.

Outkast, Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker Get Rock Hall Nominations

AP: It looks like Rock Hall has grow to be more fluid in its definitions of the genre for years. Missy Elliott was introduced in 2023, For example.

Carey: I actually do not know if the species matters. It seems to me that individuals are more open to different species, far more than they were, you understand? But sometimes I feel like a rock star.

AP: You know, after Dolly Parton She was introduced, she He released a rock album. If and when you find yourself introduced, will you finally release the Grunge album from the 90s? Fans were waiting.

Carey: I mean I really need to, but I have the desire to make movies and I even have so many ideas for it.

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I do not think I’ll have the ability to gather it until the summer (before the Rock Hall ceremony), but possibly, possibly I’ll spend a number of songs from it.

AP: During Your Christmas route Last holiday season, your kids Monroe and Maroccan joined you on stage. They played guitar and drums; They really swayed. Would you ever consider the Family Rock ‘N’ Roll album?

Carey: I would really like to. They just have many of their very own things they do, and I don’t desire to force them to do anything.

AP: I At the last date In Brooklyn, Rihanna was primarily the audience. Would you ever work with her?

Carey: I would really like to. Have you seen what happened? She wanted me to sign her breasts. I attempted to do it fastidiously and it didn’t work out well. So I attempted.

AP: Your last album of the unique music “Attention” was released in 2018. A minute passed! Are you working on a new album?

Carey: I shouldn’t talk about it. … but I’m working on something. We won’t say what it’s, but something new.

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Rihanna makes Mariah Carey signed her breasts during a great holiday route in the final:

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Malcolm D. Lee to publish the book “The Best Man” – Essence

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Taye Diggs, Nia Long and Morris Chestnut in “The Best Man”, photo: Universal Pictures. The cover of the book “The Best Man Unfinished Business”.

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Over 25 years after winning hearts on the big screen, Malcolm D. Lee filmmaker introduces his beloved characters to the site. Today, Storehouse Voices was announced, the Crown Publishing Group, Lee’s debut novel written together by Jayne Allen. The book shall be published in a soft frame, ebook and audiobook, which is to hit the shelves on July 1, 2025.

Expanding the franchise universe, the novel rises where it ended, offering readers a deeper immersion in the next chapter of Harper Stewart, Jordan Armstrong and the lifetime of Robyn Stewart. From the navigation of interdependence and discovering personal passions to redefining love and purpose in middle age, he examines the emotional complexity that the novel that the novel could provide.

First look: Malcolm D. Lee extends the franchise

It means a visit to a brand new medium for Lee, to which Allen joins, the writer of the best -selling series of novels and “writing this debut novel around my most beloved film characters was an amazing journey – just like everything I did,” says Lee. “For over 25 years we watched the characters grow and although I thought that their stories ended when they were coming back, revealing new layers of history and depth.”

“This series offers deeper immersion in their inner worlds, allowing their next chapters in a sense only a novel,” he continued. “Sharing new stories with long -time fans, while introducing them to new recipients in a fresh medium, is really exciting. This is both a continuation and a new beginning. I could not be more excited to take old and new fans for a ride.”

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Originally published in 1999, it became a cultural landmark, advising against a successful continuation and a record series for Peacock. Now this upcoming novel is the first in the recent trilogy, with two subsequent independent titles planned for next yr.

It is now available for pre -order order, wherever books are sold.

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This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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