Source | In the trial of young YSL Rico gangster, co-defendant agreed to a plea deal with a sentence

After days of speculation and negotiations, 29-year-old Quamarvious Nichols agreed to a plea deal in the high-profile YSL RICO trial in Fulton County. The court confirmed Tuesday that Nichols pleaded guilty to one RICO (racketeering) charge, resulting in a 20-year prison sentence, with 7 years to be served in prison and the remaining 13 years on probation. All other charges against him, including a murder charge related to the 2022 death of Shymel Drinks, were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Nichols initially faced several charges, including conspiracy to violate RICO, murder, participating in criminal street gang activity and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In a heartfelt plea during sentencing, defense attorney Bruce Harvey urged the court to consider Nichols’ troubled past, his responsibilities as a husband and father of three, and his potential for rehabilitation. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker acknowledged Nichols’ difficult upbringing and called the sentence a “birthday gift” as he soon turns 30. Nichols, who had already served 31 months, was taken into custody immediately after the sentencing.

Earlier in the day, Judge Whitaker reprimanded two bloggers for recording in the courtroom during prohibited hours, ordering them to remain in the designated media area for the remainder of the hearing.

The trial continues with other defendants including Deamonte Kendrick, who is represented by attorney Doug Weinstein. Weinstein asked Kendrick to be present to oversee Nichols’ plea deal and shared his commitment to proving Kendrick’s innocence, saying on social media that his client had been “wrongly accused” and vowing to continue his legal fight.