Hip-Hop stars Young Thug and Lil Wayne are at the center of a decade-old legal dispute in Cobb County, Georgia.
Attorneys for Young Thug appeared Monday before Cobb County Chief Judge Eric Brewton. The hearing concerns a lawsuit filed by Alvin Lewis, who drove Wayne’s tour bus during a 2015 shooting.
Gunfire struck the bus after a concert in Atlanta on April 25, 2015. No one was physically injured. Lewis now seeks damages for emotional distress.
Lewis alleges Young Thug, whose legal name is Jeffery Williams, and Bryan Williams, known as Birdman, bear responsibility. Both defendants deny involvement.
Defense attorney Jeffrey Reilly told the court that Lewis lacks direct evidence linking either rapper to the shooting. He also challenged evidence involving gangs and disputes among the artists.
“Georgia law does not support such a broad brush of liability,” Reilly said.
Lewis’ attorney, Jeffrey Gewirtz, offered a different account. He argued Young Thug and Birdman paid Jimmy Winfrey, known as Peewee Roscoe, to carry out the attack.
Hip-Hop Star Young Thug’s Attorneys Return To Court For Lil Wayne 2015 Tour Bus Shooting Lawsuit
Atlanta police arrested Winfrey after locating his white Chevrolet Camaro. Authorities also found an assault rifle, according to testimony.
Winfrey pleaded guilty to gang charges in 2018. The Georgia Supreme Court later overturned that conviction after finding his plea involuntary.
Winfrey subsequently accepted a plea deal in Young Thug’s racketeering case. Prosecutors identified the bus shooting as an alleged act supporting the criminal enterprise.
Gewirtz cited jail calls between Young Thug and Winfrey. He argued the conversations showed Winfrey sought “street cred” and avoided being labeled a “rat.”
Reilly said Young Thug’s $25,000 contribution toward Winfrey’s legal fees reflected their childhood friendship. He denied that Winfrey worked for either rapper or their record labels.
The case also revisits tensions between Wayne and Birdman. Wayne previously accused Cash Money Records of restricting his music.
Wayne later settled litigation against the label for more than $10 million. He also objected to Young Thug’s proposed “Barter VI” title.
Gewirtz said Young Thug posted threats against Wayne days before the shooting. Reilly said Young Thug admired Wayne and considered him an idol.
Judge Brewton also heard challenges to Lewis’ evidence, including hearsay and expert testimony. He said he will rule on whether the case proceeds to trial.
Leave a Reply