RAW: Verdict on Quamarvious Nichols
Quamarvious Nichols was sentenced after taking a plea deal in the YSL RICO trial in Fulton County.
Brief Nichols Accepts Plea Deal: Quamarvious Nichols pleaded guilty to a RICO charge, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with 7 years to serve. Murder Charge Dropped: As part of the deal, all other charges, including murder, were dismissed. Courtroom Disturbances: Judge Whitaker reprimanded two bloggers for recording when they were not allowed to record, and ordered them to remain in the media room going forward. The trial continues: Defense attorney Doug Weinstein has vowed to fight for Diamonte Kendrick, a co-defendant, claiming he was wrongly accused.
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – After several days of speculation and plea negotiations, Quamarvious Nichols, 29, accepted a plea deal in the YSL RICO trial in Fulton County.
On Tuesday afternoon, it was announced that all but one of the charges against Nichols, including the murder charge, had been dropped in exchange for his guilty plea to a RICO (racketeering) charge.
Nichols was originally charged with conspiracy to violate RICO; one count of murder (2022 Schimmel Beverage killing); two counts of participating in criminal street gang activity; 2 counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon who has previously been convicted of a felony involving the use or possession of a firearm; and 2 counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
During the sentencing phase, defense attorney Bruce Harvey made an impassioned plea for leniency. He highlighted Nichols’ difficult childhood, his role as a husband and father of three children, and his ability to achieve a positive future.
Judge Big Reece Whitaker then approved the negotiated deal of 20 years in prison with 7 years to serve and the remainder on probation. Judge Whittaker expressed sympathy with Nicholls’ troubled upbringing and asked him to view the sentence as a “birthday present” as he was about to turn 30. After the sentencing, Nichols was taken into custody. He will receive credit for time served, which is 31 months.
Offers a plea deal and disrupts the courtroom
Earlier in the day, it became clear that Nichols was accepting a plea deal. Prior to this announcement, Judge Whitaker warned two bloggers against recording inside the courtroom during the limited times. As a result, she asked them to remain in the media room going forward, indicating that the trial was expected to continue.
Additionally, defense attorney Doug Weinstein, who represents Demonte Kendrick, asked his client to come to court to witness Nichols’ plea deal. Weinstein posted on social media earlier today, asserting that Kendrick was wrongly accused and vowing to keep fighting.
Judge Whittaker apologized for the disturbance and called for a short recess before proceedings resumed.
Delays and developments
Court proceedings had already seen delays throughout Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, the public and media were kept out of the courtroom as the district attorney’s office discussed potential plea deals with defense attorneys. The courtroom doors remained closed Tuesday morning until the plea deal with Nichols was finalized.
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Judge Whitaker previously dismissed those present on Monday at 3:30 p.m., and ordered them to return at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, only to adjourn the proceedings again.
At this time, it is unknown if any other defendants will accept plea deals. It is believed that more than one defense team is negotiating with prosecutors on behalf of their clients.
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Ongoing YSL RICO experience
The trial, involving Young Thug — whose real name is Jeffrey Williams — and several other defendants, faced numerous challenges. Last week, defense attorneys asked for a mistrial after a witness mistakenly mentioned a hashtag implicating one of the defendants. Many people believe that more defendants will make deals with the state and that Judge Whitaker will finally grant a mistrial.
Here are the remaining defendants, including Jeffrey Williams:
Jeffrey Williams (Young Thug or Slime): Conspiracy to violate RICO, 2 counts of engaging in criminal street gang activity, 3 counts of violating the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. submachine gun.
Markavius Huey (COA): Conspiracy to violate RICO, 3 counts of armed robbery, 4 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, 4 counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, first-degree carjacking, 4 counts of engaging in criminal street gang activity, and possession of a weapon by An incarcerated individual, and possession of a communications device by an incarcerated individual.
Deamonte Kendrick (Yak Gotti): Conspiracy to violate RICO, murder (2015 murder of Donovan Thomas), participation in criminal street gang activity, 3 counts of violating the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a machine gun, and possession of a weapon. Fired by a convicted felon who has previously been convicted of a felony involving the use or possession of a firearm.
Rudalius Ryan (Lil Rod): Plot to violate Rico. He is currently serving a life sentence for the 2019 murder of Jamari Holmes.
Shannon Stillwell (Shannon Jackson or SB): Conspiracy to violate RICO, two counts of murder (2015 murder of Donovan Thomas Jr. and 2022 murder of Shemmel Drinks), two counts of engaging in criminal street gang activity, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon previously convicted of a felony involving Use or possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Young Thug and 27 others were charged in 2022 with violating Georgia’s RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) law and committing multiple violent crimes. After the longest jury selection in history (10 months), the trial of Young Thug and several other defendants began in November 2023. It is now the longest trial in Georgia history. Prosecutors are trying to prove that YSL (Young Slime Life) is a criminal street gang responsible for numerous crimes, including murder. The defendants assert that YSL stands for Young Stoner Life and is the name of a record label founded by Young Thug. Young Thug faces eight felony charges. The trial suffered various disruptions, including illnesses, the arrest of a juror and attorney, the stabbing of defendant Shannon Stillwell, the removal of the judge originally assigned to the case, and more.
