In yet another embarrassing incident for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ office, one of her office’s top prosecutors, Chief Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love, got in a shouting match with the judge presiding over his case. Then, after the shouting, Love was severely rebuked and ridiculed by the judge, Fulton County Judge Ural Glanville.
The spat came on Wednesday, April 17, when Chief Deputy Love attempted to introduce evidence regarding a rapper named Young Thug who is on trial. Love is in charge of the effort to prosecute Young Thugs, whose given name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, and six others. The prosecution is based on their alleged involvement with a criminal street gang tied to numerous violent crimes in the area.
Particularly, prosecutors allege, Fox News Digital reports, that Young Thug is involved with a street gang called “Young Slime Life” that is affiliated with the Bloods. They allege that Young Thug and others founded it in 2012, and that the gang is responsible for killings, carjackings, and shootings, tactics which the prosecution alleges were used both to expand the gang’s territory and enhance its image in the criminal underworld.
As part of that trial, Fox News Digital reports, Love attempted to introduce new evidence, but his motion to do so was slapped down by Judge Glanville, who argued that the evidence was not filed with the court at the appropriate time. Judge Glanville said, “Why didn’t we file this stuff months ago and let’s wind it out and air it out at that point in time.”
Fox News Digital, describing what happened next and how the fight between Love and the judge escalated, noted, “The judge asked Love if prosecutors had discussions about the evidence before excluding the material. As Love began voicing her frustration, Glanville said: ‘Well then you all should have gotten yourself together beforehand.’”
Amidst Love’s protests, he told the court officers to summon the jury, which had been excluded from the evidence exchange, telling her, “Have a seat, madam. Have a seat.” He added, “You better exclude that and next time, make sure you’re prepared.”
Love protested, leading Judge Glanville to shut her down, saying, “Oh it’s going to be inadmissible right now. I am not going to have any more discussion about this, madam.” Shockingly Love responded by shouting at the judge, yelling, “Judge, we talked to them this morning about that! And I attempted to talk to them earlier this week! our honor, so the court punishes the state because (of) the defense?” Judge Glanville drily responded, “I’m not punishing anybody. But prior preparation prevents poor performance.”
"*" indicates required fields
Chief Deputy Love then again yelled at the judge, shouting, “We prepared, judge! That’s why I sent them what I sent them last week! A whole week and a half ago! Two weeks, your honor!” Judge Glanville didn’t entertain her protestations for even a moment, telling the yelling prosecutor to cut it out because the jury was reentering the courtroom.
Featured image credit: Fani for DA Campaign website