Fulton judge presiding over YSL trial recused from case

The Fulton County judge overseeing the "Young Slime Life" criminal racketeering trial has been recused from the case, a fellow judge ordered Monday.

Why it matters: Fulton County Superior Court Judge Rachel Krause's order ( PDF ) directs the court's clerk to reassign the sprawling RICO case from Chief Judge Ural Glanville.

Catch up quick: In June, attorneys for rapper Young Thug and fellow defendant Deamonte Kendrick demanded Glanville step down from the case.

• They said the judge and prosecutors held an improper 'ex parte' meeting with a key witness, Kenneth "Lil Woody" Copeland, without the defense's knowledge.

The intrigue: When Brian Steel, who represents the rapper whose real name is Jeffery Williams, declined to reveal how he learned about the meeting, Glanville found the defense attorney in contempt.

What they're saying: "This Court has no doubt that Judge Glanville can and would continue presiding fairly over this matter if the recusal motions were denied," Krause wrote.

• "[B]ut the 'necessity of preserving the public's confidence in the judicial system' weighs in favor of excusing Judge Glanville from further handling of this case."

The bottom line: The longest-running criminal trial in Georgia history is about to get longer.