Gotti was acquitted on all charges related to the YSL case four months ago, including the January 2015 murder of Donovan “Nut” Thomas. But the rapper remained in jail after his acquittal because he was facing more charges that he racked up while fighting with other inmates.
Yak Gotti takes plea deal
In a deal with prosecutors, Gotti pled guilty Wednesday in Fulton County Superior Court to a single count of aggravated battery after a jailhouse assault in June 2024. Prosecutors said Gotti attacked another inmate, using an electrical cord. Other charges, including contraband and assault charges while in custody, were dropped as part of the agreement.
When asked by Fulton County prosecutor Adam Abbate to allocute to the crime, Gotti initially tried to evade the question.
“I’m ready to go home, bro,” he replied.
Abbate pressed further. “Yes or no?” the prosecutor said. “‘Yes’ gets you home.”
Judge Paige Reese Whitaker sentenced Gotti to 12 years of probation, with nine months to serve with credit for time served. After two years of successful probation, his status will become non-reporting. After five years on probation without any issues, it will be suspended.
Gotti departs, having been warned
Gotti was warned not to possess a firearm and not to promote gangs on social media or through his music.
“Just don’t post you hate anyone,” Abbate warned Gotti.
Gotti was reunited with his 10-year-old daughter and numerous loved ones upon his release.
Rapper Young Thug was at the center of the case — the longest in Georgia history — in which Gotti also was prosecuted. The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office recently unsuccessfully attempted to revoke Thugger’s probation and send him back to jail because of comments he allegedly made on social media. However, the court did not find that the post by Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, violated his probation. Williams, too, was sternly warned about the usage of social media.
Outside the courtroom, Gotti’s mother and legal team headed by high-powered attorney Bruce Harvey and Nicole Westmoreland clearly were relieved.
It’s ‘victory,’ mom says
“Victory was won today, and I’m thankful that my son is coming home,” said his mother, Latasha Kendrick, who herself had gotten into legal trouble in January 2023 for trying to sneak tobacco and wrapping paper to Gotti while he was incarcerated. “I miss him deeply. He got ‘not guilty,’ and he still was in jail, so I’m happy about that.”
Westmoreland added, “He’s just happy to put this behind him and to move on with the rest of his life. At the end of the day Mr. Kendrick was found not guilty of all the charges, but he still had to sit in a jail cell day and night. We’re happy it’s over, and he’s happy it’s over so he gets a chance to move on with his life.”
