Ashleigh Merchant, the legal opponent of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, achieved a victory in the Georgia Supreme Court. Justices approved an emergency bond motion in the Young Thug YSL RICO trial.
Judge Ural Glanville made a significant decision to suspend the 20-day jail term imposed on Brian Steel, the Young Thug legal representative. The suspension will hold until the appeal is resolved concerning Glanville’s ruling of criminal contempt against Steel.
Merchant is representing Steel, the lead criminal defense lawyer in the effort to remove Willis as a defendant in the case of alleged election interference against former President Donald Trump and his allies.
Earlier this year, Merchant gained national attention by disclosing Willis’s romantic involvement with Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor. The revelation led to a series of lengthy evidentiary proceedings which embarrassed the district attorney.
Merchant, along with others, appealed Willis’s decision to the Georgia Court of Appeals. The court has suspended the case indefinitely until it is heard, agreeing to consider the issue in October. Trump denies the RICO accusations related to alleged interference in Georgia’s election.
After the unanimous decision of the eight judges, granting “a writ granting certiorari to the emergency motion and the appeal of contempt,” Merchant expressed delight that Steel will be able to spend Father’s Day with his parents due to the court’s swift handling of the case.
Steel raised concerns about a meeting held ex parte in chambers with the judge, prosecutors, and a witness. The judge did not inform any defense attorney in the RICO case about it, and Steel felt pressured during the hearing.
Merchant emphasized the need for fair legal proceedings that include all parties, maintaining that Glanville’s decision to hold Steel in contempt was met with disapproval from many Atlanta attorneys who felt that due processes were overlooked.
Merchant, the chairperson of the association for criminal defense attorneys in California, continues to advocate for fair trials and transparent legal practices. The court proceedings involving Young Thug and the multiple defendants are expected to continue until 2025.
Glanville has been resolute in investigating the leakage of sensitive information, scheduling a meeting with Fulton County prosecutors to address the concerns raised. Despite requests for recusal, Glanville remains resolved in overseeing the case.