Gunna Denied Bond In RICO Case Again As Prosecutors Allege Young Thug Witnesses Are Being Threatened
Atlanta, GA – Gunna appeared virtually in Fulton County Court on Thursday (July 7) where a judge reportedly denied bond once again. According to WSB-TV, the 29-year-old Atlanta native must remain in jail until trial in January 2023.
Gunna was indicted alongside Young Thug and 26 others on Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) charges in May. Prosecutors believe they are behind numerous crimes, including murder, armed robbery and participation in criminal street gang activity.
Gunna’s legal team initially argued he should receive a bond, but the magistrate judge decided to let the superior court judge decide. That judge ultimately sided with prosecutors and denied the request.
This morning, we’re in Fulton County, where attorneys for @1GunnaGunna will try to convince a judge to grant the hip hop superstar bond. On Wednesday, the @nytimes reported this new development. @wsbtv https://t.co/uAztX3ZCb4
— Michael Seiden (@SeidenWSBTV) July 7, 2022
The WUNNA rapper is facing one count of conspiracy to violate the RICO Act. As noted on Fulton County inmate records, the alleged offense was committed in 2013. Prosecutors tied Gunna to the case after he was seen wearing YSL chains and sharing photos and videos on social media that allegedly promoted the “criminal” collective. In RICO cases, individuals can be punished for crimes carried out by the larger criminal organization.
“There are definitely many people that are looking at life under this indictment,” Fulton County DA Fani Willis said during a press conference. “These are serious times, they are serious allegations and it is my opinion that violence in our community deserves maximum penalties.”
As for Young Thug, he was denied bond in June after he was deemed a “danger to the community.” Meanwhile, the New York Times obtained court documents from the case stating prosecutors have secured an order that forces defense lawyers to withhold witnesses’ contact information from their clients, citing “numerous threats to kill or harm witnesses.”
Prosecutors claimed they’ve learned of numerous threats against witnesses, who say “they fear not only for their own lives, but for their families’ lives should they testify,” however, defense lawyers denied any attempt to intimidate witnesses.
Gunna has continually proclaimed his innocence. As he turned 29 on June 14, he penned a letter from jail that read in part, “2022 has been one of the best years of my life, despite this difficult situation. This year I had the whole world pushing P.
“Growing up from where I come from in a marginalized neighborhood, I never dreamt my art would change my life and the lives of my loved ones. My entire life, I’ve seen Black Men, Black Women and Black Children constantly attacked, hated, murdered, berated, belittled, silenced, judged, used and held captive.”
22 & 2, just a bed & a shower, no windows just walls. Can’t see or talk to anyone. I’m writing now & still praying everyday . I was raised to fight fire with water, even tho my country’s amendments have failed me! PROTECT BLACK ART! pic.twitter.com/wqsfXAzHJe
— WUNNA (@1GunnaGunna) June 14, 2022