Young Thug’s RICO trial resumed on August 12, with key witness Kenneth “Lil Woody” Copeland taking the stand again. During the proceedings, prosecutors pressed Copeland for details about his past discussions with law enforcement regarding the rapper, who is the founder of Young Stoner Life Records.
Judge Paige Reese Whitaker put Copeland in a difficult position, forcing him to choose between testifying or remaining in jail until the trial concludes. Copeland reluctantly opted to testify, expressing his frustration by stating, “I’m tired of y’all bothering me.”
In his testimony, Copeland admitted to lying to police about Young Thug’s involvement in various crimes, claiming he did so to protect himself from law enforcement pressure. He explained, “The police kept locking me up for whatever they could… So, what I did was to get them off me, I said, ‘Thug did this. Thug did that.’ I know he didn’t do it.” He emphasized that he felt coerced by the police, who often brought up Young Thug’s name during his arrests.
Copeland also mentioned that he was trying to protect his family, stating, “I was just trying to protect myself. I got a family to protect.” He described the harsh conditions he faced in jail, including isolation and mental health struggles, which contributed to his decision to cooperate with authorities.
The trial, now on its 109th day, has seen significant developments, including Copeland’s admission of previous false statements. Despite his contentious testimony, Young Thug remains active in music, recently featuring on tracks with Drake and Ye.