Atlanta DA office at it again

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Witness testimony was set to resume Friday in Young Thug’s internationally watched criminal trial as the jury was set to return after a days-long hiatus.

But before the jury was set to return, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker blasted District Attorney Fani Willis for an email that was apparently copied to the court, and demanded the email be entered into evidence in Atlanta’s trial of the 21st century.

Douglas Weinstein, who represents Deamonte Kendrick (aka Yak Gotti) in the trial, objected to an email from Willis in response to a citizen’s message about her prosecution of Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams.

“Given the history of ex parte communications in this case, I don’t think it was appropriate for the court to have been copied on that communication, especially one that reads more like a campaign ad,” Weinstein said. “I ask the court to direct the DA to limit the number of ex parte communications they have with this court.”

“It’s a shame the court would even have to say something like that,” Whitaker replied.

Fulton County Assistant Chief District Attorney Simone Hylton said the email wasn’t a direct communication with the court but rather a response to a citizen that was copied to the court.

“I take issue with any argument this wasn’t a direct communication with the court,” Weinstein countered. “It was sent from DA Willis’ office to the court; it was inappropriate; and it praised Georgia’s RICO statutes to the court.”