Breaking News is a term broadcasters use to describe an important story that requires immediate coverage live; similar to sports play-by-play radio's use of "Just In" breaks. Young Thug's attorneys have asked the court to prevent his lyrics from being used as evidence in the RICO trial against him and fellow Young Suspect League (YSL) members. Their argument: It violates free speech rights. Attorney Brian Steel Files Motion To Dismiss RICO Case Brian Steel has made headway in helping Young Thug avoid prison time during his ongoing legal battles with authorities in Atlanta and Florida. Most recently, an Atlanta judge ruling barred prosecutors from using devices taken during an illegal search of Jeffery Williams (better known as Young Thug). These phones have been linked by authorities with Young Thug's association with YSL which they allege commits violent crimes such as conspiring against Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act violations as well as engaging in illegal street gang activity activities since 2015. Steel's latest move may be his most impressive victory yet: in his motion to dismiss, Steel accused the district attorney of engaging in misconduct by filing "fake and sham" grand jury subpoenas related to rental cars allegedly used for crimes that Thug is charged with. IF the motion is granted, any evidence and information gained through two subpoenas would be dismissed and thus, the entire case would be overturned. Furthermore, this motion claims that the district attorney abused their authority by issuing subpoenas that weren't approved or issued by any Judge, Clerk of Court or legally convened Grand Jury. Steel's adversarial status with Young Thug and several YSL members could potentially cause him to make deals for leniency with them, which could damage their client's case. The prosecution alleges this as another reason to disqualify him as their attorney. VICE spoke to an expert in RICO law who noted that, should a judge grant Young Thug's motion to dismiss, all charges against his co-defendants may also be dropped; but this outcome remains uncertain, as jury selection in his case begins April 19. Depending on how far things progress, this process could last months, even into summertime. The Prosecutor’s Misconduct While media attention engulfs a high profile case against rap artists, one of their attorneys alleges that prosecutors committed misconduct that should warrant dismissal of their case. Attorney Brian Steel alleges that the Fulton County District Attorney's Office illegally obtained evidence against members of Atlanta-based Young Slime Life gang. Prosecutors claim Young Thug (real name Jeffery Williams) orchestrated crimes as part of a "criminal enterprise", including murder, robbery, weapons possession charges, money laundering allegations and more. The indictment details these acts. The allegations stem from Donovan "Big Nut" Thomas Jr's 2015 murder, according to the indictment. According to this document, his killing triggered a vicious rivalry between YSL and YFN Lucci crews, leading to unprecedented levels of violence across Atlanta. Williams is charged with renting the Infiniti sedan used in carrying out this act of violence; another defendant will likely testify that Young Thug gave them money to make sure he could remain undercover following this crime. As part of a motion filed on Thursday, attorney Steel claims the District Attorney's office illegally obtained data from Williams' cellphone and personal computer without first seeking a search warrant and that no court or grand jury issued or authorized this subpoena; accordingly if such improper information is used against defendants during their trials it could lead to their immediate release from incarceration. As this case continues, prosecutors' egregious conduct could have far-reaching repercussions. Prosecutorial misconduct has in the past resulted in wrongful convictions and years of imprisonment for innocent people; indeed, Queens District Attorney's office was already forced to review senior prosecutor Darren McGrath following errors leading to false convictions. No matter the outcome of this case, it remains crucially important to recognize that there remain many more cases of prosecutorial misconduct that need to be addressed - an issue which has contributed significantly to mass incarceration. The Subpoenas As reported earlier this month, Thug and Gunna of YSL crew will remain behind bars until their trial starts in January 2023. Both men are accused of engaging in criminal street gang activity including murders as charged under RICO (Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act). Enacted in 1970 to combat organized crime depicted in movies like Scarface and The Sopranos, RICO allows prosecutors to prosecute individuals responsible for crimes committed on an ongoing basis by enterprises (i.e illegal gambling, bribery embezzlement money laundering counterfeiting drug trafficking etc). Prosecutors allege in this case that Thug and his YSL crew engaged in a wide array of crimes as part of an ongoing criminal enterprise, such as robberies, burglaries and murders. Prosecutors named Thug alongside 27 members of his YSL crew in an 88-page indictment under "King Slime," their leader being responsible for all gang activities. Attorney Brian Steel has requested that a judge dismiss the subpoenas issued against Thug and his co-defendants, alleging they are unwarranted and violate their clients' freedom of speech rights. Furthermore, Steel wants the court to suppress all evidence gained through these subpoenas. He argues that the information gathered by prosecutors through subpoenas is useless and misleading, not helping their chances of convicting him in this case and potentially jeopardizing any conviction they might win. Citing the Fifth Amendment - which protects individuals from having to testify against themselves - his lawyers contend any testimony given under such circumstances would likely incriminate their client and subject him to a lengthy prison term. This isn't the first time someone has refused to testify under oath in a criminal matter; Susan McDougal, President Clinton's Whitewater investment partner and one-time confidante served 18 months in prison after refusing to answer questions regarding any allegations of criminal wrongdoing involving herself and President Clinton. The Trial Thug's attorneys believe his prolonged imprisonment before trial amounts to an injustice that should not stand. According to them, he has been held in "dungeon-like conditions," his lyrics as evidence misapplied and taxpayer dollars wasted by keeping him behind bars while other members of YSL crew accept plea agreements. Jeffery Williams, commonly known by his moniker Young Thug, will begin his trial in January. A jury has yet to be chosen and hundreds of potential jurors have already been disqualified for various reasons; therefore it's unclear if this case will even last an entire year. Prosecutors have pledged to call 300 witnesses at trial, and have released a potential witness list that includes rappers Birdman, YFN Lucci and Killer Mike as potential witnesses as well as music executives Kevin Liles and Lyor Cohen. As is expected, Thug's defense will allege that all evidence collected against him is circumstantial and will contend that the prosecution violated court rules by issuing an improper search warrant. A judge may opt to throw out some or all of this evidence collected by prosecutors. Steel's motion to dismiss RICO charges against Thug can be seen as an attempt at salvaging his client from legal trouble, using statute of limitations to free Thug and his co-defendants from prosecution. Attorney Darryl Cohen told 11Alive that while his client's defense has an "excellent case," it's unlikely to succeed due to numerous crimes allegedly committed before the statute of limitations expired. YSL Indictment against Atlanta rappers also charges them with illegal firearm possession; their defense team hopes that those counts can be dropped as well. A hearing for that purpose will take place this Thursday morning at 9 am before Judge Glanville; it remains to be determined if this event will be streamed live online or held personally.