The new judge who is presiding over Young Thug and YSL's trial has ruined hopes for bond once again.
On Tuesday, July 30, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker ruled on several motions that were filed after she took over for two previous judges. The first motion she addressed was a request from the State for a gag order on all future proceedings. Judge Whitaker decided to deny the motion, but allowed either side to bring it up if circumstances change. Later on, she also denied the defense's motions to declare a mistrial as well as the latest attempt to reconsider bond for Thugger.
"There's no reason to believe Mr. Williams is fleeing," Brian Steel told the judge. "He would be crazy because if he flees the case goes on because its mid-trial and he would waive his appellate rights. He has the strongest ties to the community and the backing of wonderful people both near and far who are willing to come."
"I am not going to reconsider any bond issues that have already been ruled on absent legitimate changed circumstances," Judge Whitaker said. "Those are not the type of changed circumstances that speak to the Ayala factors so I'm not going to reconsider the bond."
Young Thug's legal team has been pushing for bond ever since he and his co-defendants were arrested on RICO charges in May 2022. He has maintained his innocence ever since. Before the trial began, the previous judge Ural Glanville denied Brian Steel's motions for bond several times. Steel had proposed placing Thug on house arrest with an ankle monitor to keep him from the "torturous conditions" of the Fulton County jail.
Watch the judge give her ruling on Young Thug's bond below.