The dramatic development led to his immediate release from custody on Thursday.
I take full responsibility for my crimes, for my charges.
I hope that you allow me to go home today and trust in me to do the right thing….
Young Thug at Waterloo Park on March 17, 2022, in Austin, Texas.Amy E. Price/Getty Images
I promise you I wont ever be in this pop in of situation again.
Ive learned from my mistakes.
I come from nothing, and Ive made something, and I didnt take full advantage of it.
Im sorry, Williams said.
I know what I bring to the table.
I know what I am.
I know the heights Ive reached.
I know the impact I got on people in the community.
Williams plea Thursday was non-negotiated, leaving his sentence up to the judge.
It was a risky move.
He was facing a potential maximum of 120 years in prison.
Talks broke down over the stringent terms of that probation, Steel told the court.
Im not supportive of what were doing right now, Steel said.
I told Mr. Williams, I think were winning the trial and we should go to verdict.
I have things to do.
And he has some medical issue that he would like to tend to.
He eats out of a bag.
He eats processed food only.
He gained 75 pounds during trial.
The courtroom camera then panned to Williams, who sat silently between his two defense lawyers.
After a short silence, the judge asked, Am I misinformed?
Williams then turned to Steel.
Do yall need a minute in private?
Whitaker asked before calling another recess.
None of the deals required any written cooperation agreements or promises to testify against other defendants.
Huey had been facing the possibility of three life sentences.
Williams has maintained his innocence throughout the case.
In his opening statement last November, Steel suggested it was Copeland who killed Thomas.
(Copeland was charged with Thomas murder in 2015, but the charge was later dropped.
He was granted immunity to testify.)
In his opening statement, Steel described Williams humble beginnings and determination to make a better life for himself.
The high-profile lawyer hailed Williams for surmounting the generational harms of institutional racism and becoming a world-renowned artist.
He worked so hard.
Hes not running this criminal street gang, Steel said.
He is not sitting there telling people to kill people.
He doesnt need their money.
Jeffery is worth tens of millions of dollars.
The defense lawyer added that Williams doesnt even know most of the people in this indictment.
1(with Rich Homie Quan), 2015sBarter 6, and 2016sJeffery.
After the case was reassigned to Whitaker, it appeared to bemoving along more efficiently.
The first defendant to accept a mid-trial deal was Quamarvious Nichols, 29.
He pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to violate Georgias RICO act.
Six other counts, including a murder charge, were dismissed under the deal.
He had been facing a possible life sentence.
We categorically deny and contest any use of violence by Mr. Nichols, Harvey told Whitaker.
Two more defendants, Rodalius Ryan, 20, and Marquavius Huey, 28, tendered pleas on Wednesday.
Whitaker accepted Ryans plea, saying she personally found a factual basis for it based on the court record.
Under Hueys deal, prosecutors agreed to dismiss other counts, including allegations of hijacking and aggravated assault.
Huey originally was charged with 19 counts and was facing the possibility of multiple life sentences.
Whitaker called his deal remarkable and a huge opportunity to turn his life around.
It concludes a dark chapter in his life, and he looks forward to a bright future.
We must always remember artists arent fictional characters.
Theyre human beings first.
God bless Jeffery and his family.
The two other co-defendants still remaining in the current trial are Deamonte Yak Gotti Kendrick and Shannon Stillwell.
A total of 28 defendants were charged in the original indictment.
Nine took plea deals before the current trial started, and 12 others are set to be tried separately.
Prosecutors dropped their case against one defendant after he was convicted of murder in an unrelated case.
We have never wavered.
This article was updated at 8:58 p.m.
ET on 10/31/24 to include news of Jeffery Williams release from jail.It was updated at 3:29 a.m.
ET on 11/1/24 to include a statement from Kevin Liles.
