Georgia’s longest-running criminal trial ended Tuesday with an acquittal on all counts except a verdict against the two remaining co-defendants in a sprawling racketeering case involving rap superstar Young Thug.

The defendants — Deamonte Kendrick, a rapper named Yak Gotti, and Shannon Stillwell — were both facing multiple charges related to the state’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. The most serious charges included killing a suspected rival gang member in a drive-by shooting in 2015 and conspiring to violate RICO. Stillwell was also charged with murder in the 2022 killing of another alleged rival gang member.

The twelve jurors began deliberating on November 26 and found Kendrick and Stillwell not guilty of all but one felony firearm charge.

Kendrick was stabbed Sunday in an annex of the Fulton County Jail.

The case initially involved 28 co-defendants, including Young Thug, whom Fulton County prosecutors accused in a 2022 indictment of leading an Atlanta street gang, Young Slime Life, or YSL. (Young Thug founded his own label, YSL Records, in 2016.)

The co-defendants’ trial began in January 2023 but dragged on through multiple delays and unexpected twists after several defendants reached plea agreements while others chose to be tried separately from Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams to become.

Opening arguments began in November 2023 with six co-defendants. The livestreamed trial captivated social media users: Prosecutors used the Grammy-winning rapper’s lyrics to allege violence and illegal acts, as well as bizarre moments involving alleged drug trafficking, uncooperative key witnesses and combative incidents with the previous judge close.

By the end of the trial, the state had called more than 175 witnesses, while Stillwell and Kendrick’s defense had called none.

During closing arguments on Nov. 25, Fulton County prosecutors said the defendants participated in a criminal street gang that used guns against rivals: “They have guns and they weren’t afraid to use them,” said Assistant District Attorney Christian Adkins .

He added that YSL used “deception, intimidation, destruction and death” while members “bragged and bragged” about their exploits on social media and in songs.

To find the defendants guilty of RICO violations, jurors would have to find that the men either conspired to acquire or keep money or other personal property or that they conspired to participate in a business venture through a to engage in extortion patterns, he added.

Stillwell’s attorney, Max Schardt, later argued to the jury that the prosecution had weaved its narrative of a gang conspiracy by “trying so hard to put that square peg in a round hole.” He also denied that his client killed anyone and suspected others who testified and admitted on the stand of lying to police.

“The state has not proven their case,” he said, “and certainly has not proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Kendrick’s attorney, Doug Weinstein, ridiculed the state’s claim that Young Thug and other YSL artists and employees had gang affiliations.

“Pictures of YSL in green clothes – that must mean they are a gang,” Weinstein said, telling the jury: “You guys are mostly dressed in blue and black, you are socializing here today. Are you a gang? The state is all red today. Are they a gang because they’re all dressed in red?”

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis initially presented the case against Young Thug and his associates – who were accused of being affiliated with the nationwide Bloods gang – as a way to combat the relentless violence in their south Atlanta neighborhood.

Willis, who later came under scrutiny for her handling of the 2020 election case against Donald Trump and his associates, was criticized by some for using the lyrics in Young Thug’s songs and social media posts as evidence to support the claim had used gang activities.

Critics claim the state’s RICO law has been weaponized to specifically target black hip-hop artists, who they say should have the freedom to express themselves.

In July, the state’s case was nearly thrown into disarray when the original judge was removed after he held a private meeting with prosecutors and a key witness that was not attended by members of the defense. Defense attorneys unsuccessfully argued for a mistrial.

Then, in October, the trial was nearly upended again when a state witness was accidentally given to read a social media post during his testimony that contained the unredacted nicknames of two co-defendants, which will be redacted for the jury should. The prosecution’s misstep raised the possibility of a mistrial and paved the way for Supreme Court Justice Paige Whitaker to explore whether prosecutors and defense attorneys could reach plea deals.

Four of the six co-defendants agreed. After taking a deal, Young Thug was released from prison and had his 40-year sentence commuted to time served and 15 years probation.