The newest developments in the highly publicized trial of YNW Melly are underway. The rapper has been in police custody since 2019 for a double murder charge dating all the way back to the 2017 death of two of his friends. While he has already sat through one trial, Melly isn’t out of the woods yet by any means. His first trial took place earlier this year and ultimately ended when the judge declared it a mistrial. The prosecution made their intent clear right away to re-prosecute the rapper and a new trial is expected to get underway later this year.
In the meantime, Melly is hoping to spend his time at home between the two trials. According to All HipHop, the rapper is expected in court today to argue for a chance to be released on bond until the next trial begins. It’s unclear just how long he would be able to spend at home as his next trial isn’t that far away. Subsequently jury selection for the retrial is expected to commence on October 9.
The first trial was declared a mistrial as the jury was hung. “I believe that he didn’t do it and it wasn’t proved in court. This was a really bad situation of being framed. Melly was a very good person. He always tried to help out people around him,” one of the jurors from the trial said publicly afterward.
The motion for Melly’s bond was officially filed almost a full month ago. If the court ultimately drags its feet in regard to his newest hearing, Melly’s time at home could be very short-lived. Many have called out that the rapper has been in police custody for years now without ever actually being convicted of a crime. What do you think of YNW Melly re-appearing in court to seek bond? Let us know in the comment section below.
During a recent interview with VladTV, Boosie Badazz shared his thoughts on YNW Melly’s ongoing double murder case. Boosie attended the first trial back in June, even claiming that it inspired him to possibly become a defense attorney. YNW Melly is currently awaiting his second trial, after the first was ruled a mistrial in July. If found guilty, it’s possible that the artist could be looking at the death penalty. He’s accused of shooting and killing two YNW associates, Juvy and SakChaser. Melly’s defense argues that their deaths were instead the result of a drive-by shooting.
In the interview, Boosie explains that he had met Melly at an airport once before, fondly remembering the experience. He recalls the young rapper buying him food and magazines, telling him “you ain’t spending nothing OG.” Boosie also says that he got the opportunity to meet the 24-year-old’s mother, describing her as “real,” and sharing that she reminded him of his own mother.
The rapper says that Melly may have even been with Juvy and SakChaser, who he’s accused of killing, at the time they met. Boosie shared his thoughts on the trial, getting heated while discussing how the judge will allow an eight-to-four vote on the death penalty. “I was so pissed off about that,” the rapper explained. He adds that it was a new law that was passed just ahead of Melly’s trial, which he claims is the reason they waited so long.
“After that law passed, they took him straight to f*cking trial, bro. Eight-four is f*cking crazy, it’s unheard of — death is unanimous.” He expressed how he feels as though the vote is unfair, citing his own personal experiences. Boosie explains that at one point, he was facing the death penalty, but it was later switched to a life sentence so that he could more easily be convicted ten-to-two. He claims that in any other state, the death penalty would have to be a unanimous decision.
In February 2019, Florida rapper YNW Melly was arrested on two counts of first-degree murder. Born Jamell Demons, the then-19-year-old was amid a swelling rap career under the YNW Melly moniker. From collaborating with Kanye West to delivering the hit single “Murder On My Mind,” he had a highly successful career ahead of him. Unfortunately, the song was more-so engrained in reality rather than fiction than fans would’ve thought.
Demons had an early fascination with music as an outlet for his chaotic childhood. Listening to artists like Chris Brown, he began recording music as a wild teenager. His mother gave birth to him when she was the mere age of 14. However, that lack of guidance would manifest in various unhealthy fixations. Demons took a precocious interest in guns as early as elementary school. In fact, he’s openly discussed bringing a revolver with him to school daily in fourth grade.
YNW Melly Had A Past Of Violence
YNW Melly’s song “Murder On My Mind” was rooted in his fixation with firearms. As a 16-year-old, he was charged with three counts of aggravated assault and one count of discharging a firearm in a public setting. He later told Billboard that being locked up inspired his chorus on the track, stating, “The first time I got locked up. I was like 15 or 16. I woke up and I had that chorus.”
On the track, Melly states, “His body dropped down to the floor and he had teardrops in his eyes/ He grabbed me by my hands and said he was afraid to die/ I told ’em it’s too late my friend, it’s time to say ‘goodbye.’” In retrospect, his fixation with violence was certainly unhealthier than the traditional discussions surrounding the topic in hip-hop. However, “Murder On My Mind” was released when outraged barbarity became mainstream hip-hop’s mainstay. Amid the SoundCloud era of sound, YNW Melly’s hit track blended in with other trap-banger hits that covered similar narratives.
Demons & YNW Bortlen Face Two Counts Of Murder
Before being arrested in February 2019 for the murder of two of his past friends, he had been in and out of prison. It’s a wonder that YNW even managed to grow his career continually. He was in a cyclical and chaotic routine. Melly would spend roughly six months in prison, then create music and persistently tour when he was out. On August 3, 2018, he released his first full-length mixtape in the form of I Am You. From a Chris Brown interpolation to the maternal ode in the form of “Mama Cry,” the mixtape blended his signature bangers with a softer side to his creative personality.
While creating his first full-length studio album, YNW Melly was associated with a new controversy. Christopher Thomas Jr and Anthony Williams, members of the YNW crew, were shot and killed on October 26, 2018. The two were dead before police arrived at the scene. Known as close friends and fellow MCs to Melly, he took to social media to mourn their passing, stating, “They took my brothers from me over jealousy.”
A few months later, Melly’s official documentary arrived on YouTube. The documentary primarily focuses on his troubling prison life and rise to fame. However, the end of the video claims that YNW Melly and his two murdered friends were the targets of a drive-by shooting in Miami. On the same day, he revealed that he was recording with Kanye West for the rumored Yandhi.
Melly Is Potentially Facing The Death Penalty
While Kanye West and YNW Melly were reportedly working together on music, Melly was arrested on murder charges along with Cortlen Henry, known as YNW Bortlen, on February 13, 2019. Police alleged that he shot and killed Thomas Jr and Williams. Furthermore, they accused Melly of staging the deaths as a drive-by shooting to clear his name.
Even during Melly’s time in prison, he continued releasing albums likely in the vault before he began serving time. Melly vs. Melvin spent 31 weeks on the Billboard 200 charts. Just a Matter of Slime featured Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Baby, Future, and more. The album debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 charts.
Since YNW Melly was imprisoned on murder charges, he has yet to see the light of day. Melly is set to face trial on the week of June 20th, with the jury selection process still ongoing. Per Florida’s recent law changes, only eight juror votes are now required to recommend the death penalty if a defendant is found guilty. This isn’t the case for Henry, who has been under house arrest since 2020. Now 24, YNW Melly has received a slew of supportive messages under the tag #FreeMelly. His little brother, dubbed YNW BSlime, has been releasing multiple tracks calling for his release.
Reports have confirmed that a judge in South Florida is going to allow jurors in YNW Melly’s trial to recommend a death sentence with an 8-4 vote instead of a unanimous vote.
Broward Circuit Judge John Murphy is allowing the jurors to decide if Melly, who is facing two counts of first-degree murder, should face the death penalty or serve the rest of his life behind bars without the possibility of parole.
YNW Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, will be going on trial for the murders of his deceased crew members Chris Thomas, 20, aka YNW Juvy, and Anthony Williams, 21, aka YNW Sakchaser back in 2018.
Judge Murphy said his decision, “was not fundamentally unfair for [Melly]… nor would it violate his right to due process of the law.”
Melly’s trial is set to begin later this month ad he will be one of the first people to be tried under this new law allowing jurors to vote o a defendant’s life or death.
Melly has plead not guilty and currently sits behind bars with no bond.
The long-awaited trial for YNW Melly’s murder case is finally due to kick off later this month. Unfortunately, the Florida native received some bad news ahead of that regarding the death penalty. It was previously taken off the table for Melly, but ultimately later put back on after the ruling was found to be faulty. Since then, the 23-year-old has continued to campaign for his freedom with the help of attorneys, family, friends, and fans.
Even from behind bars Melly has managed to get messages out via Instagram. In one from earlier this year, the “Murder On My Mind” artist shared that he’s “in fear of [his] life” behind bars while awaiting his fate. YNW has allegedly dealt with harsh deputies, lieutenants, and sergeants, all of whom he says are threatening to “hide [him] from the world.” The original posts are no longer on his profile, leaving only more recent snapshots of the embattled star smiling while wearing a suit in court.
As XXL reports, on Friday (June 2) Broward Circuit Judge John Murphy agreed with state prosecutors who filed a motion following a new statute allowing jury members to recommend a death sentence with an 8-4 vote. Before this, all 12 jurors would have to vote for the fatal penalty. Melly will officially be one of the first tried under the harsh new rule following Parkland High School shooter Nikolas Cruz’s recent denial due to a 9-3 vote from the jury.
Of all the states where it’s still legal, Florida now has the lowest threshold for handing out a death sentence in the country. Read all about the jury selection process for YNW Melly’s upcoming trial at the link below. Do you think the judge’s new ruling is fair for the young rapper? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
Donald Trump has reportedly been expressing interest in bringing back firing squads, hangings, and “possibly even the guillotine,” according to Rolling Stone. The outlet cites a source familiar with the matter. The report comes after the former president called for the death penalty for all drug dealers during his 2024 campaign announcement.
“The [former] president believes this would help put the fear of God into violent criminals,” this source told Rolling Stone. “He wanted to do some of these [things] when he was in office, but for whatever reasons didn’t have the chance.” They added that Trump previously mused about creating a government-backed video-ad campaign to promote the idea of bringing back the execution methods.
Trump’s Campaign Announcement
Donald Trump called for the death penalty for drug dealers during his 2024 campaign announcement.
Such rhetoric is eerily reminiscent of other authoritarian strongmen like Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, who supported the extrajudicial killings of drug dealers & drug users. pic.twitter.com/02a52aOqur
A spokesperson for the Trump campaign denied that he considered a video-ad campaign. “More ridiculous and fake news from idiots who have no idea what they’re talking about,” the spokesman told the outlet in an email. “Either these people are fabricating lies out of thin air, or Rolling Stone is allowing themselves to be duped by these morons.”
When asked specifically about firing squads and other execution methods, the spokesperson referred to Trump’s aforementioned 2024 campaign announcement. “Every drug dealer during his or her life, on average, will kill 500 people with the drugs they sell, not to mention the destruction of families,” they said. “We’re going to be asking everyone who sells drugs, gets caught selling drugs, to receive the death penalty for their pain.”
In the announcement, Trump had said specifically that he will execute any drug dealer found guilty. “And they send the bullet to the family and they want the family to pay for the cost of the bullet,” Trump said at the rally. “If you want to stop the drug epidemic in this country, you better do that … [even if] it doesn’t sound nice.”
By the end of Donald Trump’s presidency, he had already proven his support for the death penalty. During the final months of his administration, he oversaw the executions of 13 federal prisoners. Since 1963, the government only executed three federal prisoners. It was also the first administration since the 1880s to put people to death during a lame-duck period.
YNW Melly, born Jamell Maurice Demons is celebrating a victory after Wednesday’s preliminary court hearing for his double murder trial.
A judge ruled that the death penalty is no longer in question. The “Murder On My Mind” rapper’s legal team was able to remove capital punishment from the sentencing based on a technicality.
His attorneys pointed out a specific rule in Florida’s criminal procedure, stating that prosecutors must give notice of the intent to seek the death penalty. The notice was never filed.
The 23-year-old Florida native was arrested in February 2019 on two counts of first-degree murder for the killings of his friends YNW Sakchaser, born Anthony Williams and YNW Juvy, born Christopher Thomas Jr. in 2018.
Demons and his co-defendant YNW Bortlen, born Cortlen Henry, allegedly staged their deaths to look like a result of a drive-by shooting but some investigating led police officers to believe that Melly was the one who pulled the trigger.
Florida is one of thirty states where capital punishment is legal. He could face life in prison if convicted later this year.
YNW Melly, born Jamell Maurice Demons is celebrating a victory after Wednesday’s preliminary court hearing for his double murder trial.
A judge ruled that the death penalty is no longer in question. The “Murder On My Mind” rapper’s legal team was able to remove capital punishment from the sentencing based on a technicality.
His attorneys pointed out a specific rule in Florida’s criminal procedure, stating that prosecutors must give notice of the intent to seek the death penalty. The notice was never filed.
The 23-year-old Florida native was arrested in February 2019 on two counts of first-degree murder for the killings of his friends YNW Sakchaser, born Anthony Williams and YNW Juvy, born Christopher Thomas Jr. in 2018.
Demons and his co-defendant YNW Bortlen, born Cortlen Henry, allegedly staged their deaths to look like a result of a drive-by shooting but some investigating led police officers to believe that Melly was the one who pulled the trigger.
Florida is one of thirty states where capital punishment is legal. He could face life in prison if convicted later this year.
(@ynwmelly)