Star Witness' Lawyer In Young Thug's Gang Case Suspended For 6 Months

ATLANTA, GA — As Kenneth "Lil' Woody" Copeland continued testifying in rapper Young Thug's Fulton County gang case Tuesday, the Georgia Supreme Court suspended his attorney in an unrelated matter.

The Georgia Supreme Court suspended attorney Jonathan Melnick for his alleged mishandling of a child custody battle that spanned from May 2017 to January 2019 in Rockdale County, according to the court's opinion obtained by Patch.

Copeland told presiding Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker that he was informed of Melnick's suspension and that he did not want to speak without his attorney. He told Whitaker that he would like for her to locate him a new attorney.

Whitaker told Copeland the public defender's office found him a new attorney. Court went into recess Tuesday until the attorney could be contacted.

Background in Melnick's Case

The court said Melnick was a solo practitioner with no staff at the time of the child custody case. Due to the suspension, Melnick cannot practice law for six months in Georgia, according to the opinion.

Melnick was accused of not notifying his client of motions filed by the opposing attorney and not informing his client that he did not attend a settlement hearing due to a scheduling conflict.

In that Jan. 8, 2019 hearing, the court said Melnick's client was ordered to pay $3,629.93 in child support overpayment and opposing attorney fees within 30 days. According to the court, Melnick did not alert his client to the order.

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The client became aware of both the order and a motion to enforce, previously filed by her child's father's attorney, after she noticed she was receiving less child support and decided to visit the courthouse, according to the opinion.

The court said Melnick did not file a response to the motion to enforce, which would impose the agreed upon settlement.

In the opinion, Melnick argued that he did not file a response to the motion as it did not contain any new relief not already in the agreement, except for the details regarding attorney fees.

"Melnick never filed a motion to withdraw from the case, nor did he terminate his representation. The client retained new counsel, who contacted Melnick and raised the possibility of the client filing a malpractice action against him. Melnick discussed settlement with the client’s new counsel, and after the client filed a grievance with the State Bar, Melnick paid the client $3,500 and obtained a release," read the opinion.

RELATED: 'I Don't Recall': Key Witness Testifies In Young Thug's GA Gang Case

YSL Gang Case in Fulton County

The news comes on the day Copeland resumes his second round of testimony in the widespread gang case against rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, and five others.

Williams was one of 28 people arrested in the massive gang and racketeering trial, though some defendants have since accepted plea deals. Prosecutors allege Williams is the leader of suspected gang Young Slime Life, but defense attorneys have maintained YSL is Williams' record label and stands for Young Stoner Life.

RELATED: Rapper Young Thug's Trial Halted Due To Review Of GA Judge: Reports

Copeland testified Tuesday that YSL is a record label, not a gang. He repeatedly told prosecutors that he lied in his 2015 interviews with detectives, and he continued answering questions with variations of "I don't recall" during examination.

Williams has been incarcerated since his May 2022 arrest. According to Fulton County Jail records, Williams is facing multiple charges, including violation of Georgia's Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

Also See:

• Young Thug RICO Trial: Rap Lyrics Ruled Admissible In ATL Case: Report
• Young Thug and Gunna Trial: Judge Denies Delay Request: Report
  
• Attorney Arrested For Medication In Atlanta's YSL RICO Case: Report

This story may be updated as trial resumes Tuesday.