A federal judge has ordered a delay in NBA YoungBoy's gun case until the U.S. Supreme Court issues a ruling on a pending Second Amendment case, potentially delaying YoungBoy's trial scheduled for July.
- August 13, 2024
AceShowbiz - A federal judge in Louisiana has postponed the dismissal hearing in NBA YoungBoy's (YoungBoy Never Broke Again) gun case until further guidance is received from higher courts. YoungBoy's defense attorney, Drew Findling, argues that rulings in ongoing cases before the Fifth Circuit and the Supreme Court will provide clarity on the rapper's right to possess a firearm despite his felony conviction for a 2016 drive-by shooting.
Findling specifically cited the cases of United States versus Collette and Garland versus Range, which address the issue of blanket bans on felons possessing firearms. The Supreme Court's ruling in Zackey Rahimi this summer provided partial guidance, but Findling contends that it still leaves open questions about whether such bans can be applied without individualized findings of credible threats and whether they can be permanent.
Prosecutors, on the other hand, maintain that the Rahimi ruling provides sufficient guidance for applying federal gun laws to YoungBoy's case. They argue that the prosecution can proceed based on the ban established in the case.
YoungBoy, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, was arrested in 2020 in Baton Rouge on charges of illegally possessing firearms and possessing marijuana and Hydrocodone. Police allege that he was involved in a music video shoot where several weapons were brandished.
Federal prosecutors have indicted YoungBoy on charges of possession of firearms by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
Judge Shelly Dick must now decide whether to move forward with dismissal hearings or continue the postponement until the outcomes of the Collette and Range cases are known. A trial scheduled for July will likely be delayed until the judge's ruling.
The outcome of these cases could have a significant impact on YoungBoy's ability to defend himself against the gun charges. If the Supreme Court strikes down the gun restrictions, it could strengthen YoungBoy's case. However, if the Court upholds the bans, his defense may be weakened.
