delay

YNW Melly Re-Trial Delayed Again

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The re-trial of YNW Melly has been delayed for a third time after the defense filed another motion to dismiss. Jury selection is now scheduled for March, which was the original start date of the second delay. There is no anticipated timeframe for the trial’s new start date. This comes after Melly’s team requested a continuance in December 2023 and waived the rapper’s right to a speedy trial. That move, presumably made to give the defense more time to prepare its case, means that there is no end in sight for Melly.

However, the stakes could also not be higher for the Florida rapper. Legal maneuvers made after his first trial ended in a mistrial mean that the threshold for a death penalty, if found guilty, has been lowered. While Melly still needs to be found guilty, the jury would only need eight votes to sentence him to death. Melly is charged with double-homicide, as well as a litany of conspiracy and witness tampering charges.

Read More: YNW Melly Is Ready To Get His Legal Situation “Over With” According To Fredo Bang

YNW Melly Tries To Block Use Of Song Lyrics

Meanwhile, Melly’s attorney is also attempting to block the prosecution from using the rapper’s lyrics as evidence. “To receive something this late in the game is just part and parcel of what they’ve been doing the entire time,” Raven Liberty said. Additionally, Liberty also noted that the prosecution had agreed as far back as 2020 that they would not use song lyrics as evidence. The admissibility of the lyrics is yet to be ruled on, especially given the latest delay in the start of the trial.

The use of song lyrics as evidence is a controversial practice. There is a Supreme Court-mandated ban on it in New Jersey and heavy restrictions on the practice in California. However, it is still allowed in the state of Florida. Additionally, it was a major point of contention in 2023. Over in Georgia, Fulton County DA Fani Willis came out as a vocal advocate of the practice. This was especially notable during her prosecuting of the YSL RICO trial involving Young Thug.

Read More: YNW Melly Trial: Prosecutors Claim Rapper Has Child Porngraphy On His Cell Phone

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YNW Melly’s Retrial Postponed, Judge Grants Motions To Exclude Evidence

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YNW Melly’s double murder retrial, originally scheduled for February of next year, has been pushed back once again. Broward Circuit Court Judge John Murphy honored the Melly’s team’s request for an extension earlier this week, allowing them more time to prepare their defense. Jury selection is underway, and opening statements will now begin on March 5, 2024.

In the meantime, the rapper’s team will conduct more than a dozen depositions, several of which were canceled this month. The news follows Murphy’s decision to partially grant 13 defense motions to exclude evidence, per the Miami Herald. Digital evidence, including text messages sent around the time of the murders, has now been restricted. Murphy will also make decisions on various other motions at a hearing next month.

Read More: YNW Melly’s Lyrics Could Be Used Against Him In Court

YNW Melly’s Retrial Will Now Begin On March 5, 2024

The news also follows prosecutors’ push to have Melly’s song lyrics used against him in court. They filed for 55 songs, 18 audio files, 14 YouTube videos, and four album covers to be admitted as evidence in his retrial. This is a hotly debated move fans have also seen in Young Thug’s RICO trial. It sparked numerous discussions surrounding creative freedom, with several of the artist’s peers and fans speaking out against the judge’s decision.

Fat Joe, for example, shared his thoughts with CNN‘s Gayle King in November, claiming that a majority of his lyrics don’t reflect the truth. “I’ve been rapping professionally for 30 years,” he explained. “I’ve lied in almost 95 percent of my songs. I’m being honest. I write like I feel that day. I’m just being creative. You couldn’t build a jail high enough for the lyrics I’ve said on songs, which are all untrue. What I am is a family man, the person who gives back to my community all the time, opens businesses in my community.” What do you think of YNW Melly’s double murder retrial getting pushed back again? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

Read More: YNW Melly’s Mom’s OnlyFans Account Heats Up While Waiting For 2024 Retrial

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YNW Melly’s Murder Retrial Delayed Once Again

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YNW Melly’s murder retrial has been pushed back to February 5, 2024. According to Law & Crime, Judge John Murphy made the decision earlier this week after prosecutors requested a delay. In doing so, he cited “extraordinary circumstances” warranting the extension. The trial was originally set to begin a month earlier.

Melly’s mother reacted to the news in a post on social media, Monday. “Lawsuits, lies, delayed trials, overdue bill, seeing death everyday at work but have no choice but to work,” she wrote on her Instagram Story. “Broken heart, sadness, stress, tears, fears, 5 years.”

Read More: YNW Melly’s Retrial To Get Entirely New Jury Following Defense Error

YNW Melly Booked In Florida

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – FEBRUARY 13: In this handout photo provided by the Broward’s Sheriff’s Office, rapper YNW Melly, real name Jamell Demons, is seen in a police booking photo after being charged with two counts of murder in the first degree February 13, 2019 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Demons allegedly conspired with Cortlen Henry to fatally shot two other Florida based rappers, Christopher Thomas Jr and Anthony Williams, October 26. (Photo by Broward’s Sheriff’s Office via Getty Images)

The prosecution requested a delay in the trial’s start date, earlier this month, citing several reasons. “Throughout the defendant’s 20+ pleadings and in court hearings, the defendant complains of the number of witnesses that must be deposed as well as the many motions that must be heard,” prosecutors wrote in one motion. “The defendant complains that the state has filed motions after the court’s discovery cut off, yet the defendant himself has also filed motions after this date. Several of the state’s motions are a result of the defendant’s new criminal activity.” They added: “It is abundantly evident that the defendant is not ready for trial.”

Another primary reason for the delay is the jury selection. Due to an error on the part of the defense, the process needed to be restarted, last week. Melly’s team had incorrectly instructed the jury that they needed to find the rapper guilty of everything of which he’s accused to proceed with a guilty verdict, which isn’t the case. Be on the lookout for further updates on Melly’s upcoming trial on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: YNW Melly Prosecutors Request Delay In Trial, Argue He’s Not Ready

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YNW Melly Smiles In Court As Retrial Is Pushed Back

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YNW Melly appeared in court again today (October 6) for a hearing surrounding his team’s motion to recuse the Broward County State Attorney’s Office from prosecuting his alleged double murder case. The rapper’s team is accusing prosecutors of keeping it under wraps that detective Mark Moretti had obtained Melly’s mom’s cell phone without a proper search warrant.

Moretti’s seizing of the phone wouldn’t have been a problem if there had been a Broward County Sheriff’s Deputy present. State attorney Michelle Boutros alleges that she witnessed him conduct the search without one there, however. Boutros also claims she heard Moretti tell a deputy, “You need to say you were here.” Today in court, they deliberated on whether or not his demand was a joke. Judge John Murphy said that he would be deferring his decision on if the state will be recused.

Read More: YNW Melly And YNW Bortlen Allegedly Used “Rihanna” As Code Name For Key Witness

YNW Melly’s Retrial Starts October 16 Or Later

Melly’s team has also motioned for the case to be dropped entirely, which is a long shot. Murphy announced that the hearing for their motion is scheduled for October 13. Jury selection was intitially set to begin on October 9. The judge, however, has pushed the date back to make rulings on various other motions. The retrial will now begin on October 16 at the earliest, one week after the prior start date. In a new clip, the 24-year-old performer is seen being escorted into the court room, looking to be in good spirits.

His laid-back demeanor doesn’t come as too much of a surprise, as he’s remained confident that he’s headed home soon. Regardless, if he’s convicted, he could be facing the death penalty. He was also recently hit with a witness tampering charge, and accused of communicating with his co-defendant, YNW Bortlen, to try to get witnesses not to appear in court. What do you think of YNW Melly’s second trial getting delayed? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates on YNW Melly.

Read More: YNW Melly’s Co-Defendant YNW Bortlen Has Personal Items Seized In Home Raid

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YNW Bortlen’s New Court Date Revealed

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YNW Melly is currently awaiting jury selection for the second trial of his alleged double murder case. The rapper is accused of murdering two of his associates back in 2018, YNW Juvy and YNW SakChaser. His first trial was ruled a mistrial back in July, after jurors couldn’t come to a unanimous decision. Now, his team’s pushing for the entire case to be dismissed. The jury selection process is scheduled to begin on October 9.

Amid Melly’s legal developments, there’s also been a new development in the case of YNW Melly’s co-defendant, YNW Bortlen. Bortlen drove the victims to the hospital after the shooting, and is believed to be the only other living witness. He had a hearing scheduled to take place today, but it’s now been delayed.

Read More: YNW Bortlen Tweets About “Mind Games” Amid YNW Melly Mistrial

YNW Bortlen’s Trial Pushed Back

According to Bryson “Boom” Paul, Bortlen’s hearing will now take place on January 12 of next year, more than three months from now. It appears as though prosecutors are focused on Melly’s case for the time being, causing some setbacks in Bortlen’s case. He will be tried separately from Melly. Though Melly and prosecutors are surely looking to get his second trial moving, the rapper’s team thinks jury selection could take some time. One of his attorneys, Stuart Adelstein, reportedly said they’ll “be lucky to pick a jury before Thanksgiving.” The 24-year-old’s defense cites alleged “prosecutorial misconduct” in their motion for dismissal.

They’re alleging that prosecutors helped Detective Mark Moretti, and hid internal investigations of him in order to “gain a tactical advantage” over Melly’s defense. This would “violate [Melly’s] due process rights as guaranteed by both the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and the parallel provisions of the Florida Constitution,” the rapper’s lawyers claim. What do you think of YNW Bortlen having his court date pushed back by over three months? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates on YNW Melly and YNW Bortlen.

Read More: YNW Melly’s Friend YNW Bortlen Reportedly Told Police About Shootings

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YNW Bortlen’s New Court Date Revealed

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YNW Melly is currently awaiting jury selection for the second trial of his alleged double murder case. The rapper is accused of murdering two of his associates back in 2018, YNW Juvy and YNW SakChaser. His first trial was ruled a mistrial back in July, after jurors couldn’t come to a unanimous decision. Now, his team’s pushing for the entire case to be dismissed. The jury selection process is scheduled to begin on October 9.

Amid Melly’s legal developments, there’s also been a new development in the case of YNW Melly’s co-defendant, YNW Bortlen. Bortlen drove the victims to the hospital after the shooting, and is believed to be the only other living witness. He had a hearing scheduled to take place today, but it’s now been delayed.

Read More: YNW Bortlen Tweets About “Mind Games” Amid YNW Melly Mistrial

YNW Bortlen’s Trial Pushed Back

According to Bryson “Boom” Paul, Bortlen’s hearing will now take place on January 12 of next year, more than three months from now. It appears as though prosecutors are focused on Melly’s case for the time being, causing some setbacks in Bortlen’s case. He will be tried separately from Melly. Though Melly and prosecutors are surely looking to get his second trial moving, the rapper’s team thinks jury selection could take some time. One of his attorneys, Stuart Adelstein, reportedly said they’ll “be lucky to pick a jury before Thanksgiving.” The 24-year-old’s defense cites alleged “prosecutorial misconduct” in their motion for dismissal.

They’re alleging that prosecutors helped Detective Mark Moretti, and hid internal investigations of him in order to “gain a tactical advantage” over Melly’s defense. This would “violate [Melly’s] due process rights as guaranteed by both the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and the parallel provisions of the Florida Constitution,” the rapper’s lawyers claim. What do you think of YNW Bortlen having his court date pushed back by over three months? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates on YNW Melly and YNW Bortlen.

Read More: YNW Melly’s Friend YNW Bortlen Reportedly Told Police About Shootings

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Benny The Butcher Gives Explanation For New Album Delay, But Still Calls It AOTY

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While Benny The Butcher’s new album Everybody Can’t Go saw a delay, it’s still shaping up to be one of the best rap albums of the year. Moreover, the “Super Plug” rapper recently explained on social media why the album didn’t come out this week as expected. “My album ain’t coming out tonight or tomorrow,” he remarked in the clip. “I wasn’t as ready as I thought I was. Just know when you hear my s**t it’s gonna be better than all this other s**t you’ve been hearing all year.” With its announcement last year (and the proclamation that it would be the best Def Jam album since DMX’s debut), he’s building up a game-shifting release here.

Considering the Griselda affiliate’s incredible body of work so far, this doesn’t seem too hard of a promise to live up to for him. With the help of frequent collaborator Hit-Boy behind the boards for many tracks, Everybody Can’t Go is probably going to be just as good, if not better, than it would’ve been if it released this week. Furthermore, this is understandably not the only time that Benny The Butcher gassed up his own albums. For example, last year’s Tana Talk 4 was a strong album of the year contender as he predicted.

Read More: 50 Cent And Benny The Butcher Meet Up Backstage

Benny The Butcher Speaks On Album Delay

“While n***as be talking their s**t, who wanna bet my s**t go cr*zy when I drop Tana Talk 4?” Benny The Butcher said back then in an Instagram video. “If anybody doubting me, who wanna bet? What we talking about? Who wanna bet me? I know the same n***as who be talking that s**t. What are we doing right now? Album of the year, who wanna bet me right now? Album of the year for consideration, before it even came out or even heard a single. I got 10 bands to anyone’s five, and I got 20 bands to anyone’s 10. Who wants to take that bet?”

Meanwhile, this is a huge and wonderful year for the 38-year-old regardless of Everybody Can’t Go, though that’s certainly a plus. He recently announced that he married his longtime girlfriend. Congratulations to the newlyweds, and we wish them all the happiness in the world; specifically, we wish this album will be as good as it sounds on paper. On that note, check back in with HNHH for the latest news and updates on Benny The Butcher.

Read More: Benny The Butcher Previews Lil Wayne Collab For New Album “Everybody Can’t Go”

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Hit-Boy Says Benny The Butcher’s New Album Has Been Delayed

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Rap fans are no stranger to projects being delayed past their initial release dates. Just this week Trippie Redd became the latest artist to push a new project back. His A Love Letter To You 5 mixtape was slated to release today but was pushed back a week at the last minute. Now, prolific Griselda rapper Benny The Butcher could be the next big name to push his album release back. Producer Hit-Boy who is working on the project shared the news on the Elliott Wilson Experience earlier this week. “It was supposed to come in August but I think it’s getting pushed back,” Hit-Boy explains. He also estimates that around 9 of the songs on the project were produced by him.

Benny The Butcher originally announced his new album Everybody Can’t Go back in April. He confirmed that the project was slated to come in August, though updates have been pretty sparse since then. He’s contributed to a pair of other new singles in the meantime though. Benny joined Curren$y and Harry Fraud on the track “Stingray” which landed on their collaborative album Vices earlier this year. His fellow Griselda member Conway The Machine also dropped a project earlier this year encapsulating his entire Drumwork label. Benny teamed up with Conway and 38 Spesh on the track “LALO.”

Benny The Butcher Album Update

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One of the updates Benny shared on the album mentioned an artist who might appear on it. In an Instagram live stream, he previewed some new music and teased about a potential Lil Wayne collab appearing on the album. Benny The Butcher has come close to securing some major collaborations in the past only for things to fall apart. Back in June he shared a story in an interview about a potential collab with Jay-Z. Jay reached out to him about collaborating and the pair were even in the same city but it never actually happened.

Benny has also talked in the past about a Drake collab he has on the shelf. He expressed his frustration that it can’t be released due to industry mechanisms. What do you think of Benny The Butches having to delay his new album? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: Benny The Butcher Builds Butcherfest Boxing Event

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Chief Keef’s New Album “Almighty So 2” Delayed Again To October

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Chief Keef’s Almighty So 2 has been in the works for years at this point, and it seems continuously unlucky at every turn. Moreover, as per the release page on Apple Music, Sosa’s new project was once again delayed, this time to October 13 of this year. While this makes for a fitting Halloween-season Friday the 13th drop, it surely disappointed many fans who wanted the project to arrive as soon as possible. For those unaware, this is a sequel to the Chicago legend’s 2013 mixtape, which remains a fan-favorite among his die-hard group of followers. In addition, we have no details as to why these delays happened, leading many to speculate on sample clearance issues, final mixes, or other possible factors.

In fact, rumors indicate that Chief Keef finished this project back in 2018, and that it’s been in limbo ever since. At first, the Glo Gang leader and his team announced a December 16 release date… last year. Then, it was delayed to January 20, then April 14, and now we have this latest release update. While the 27-year-old dropped a few projects and singles in the meantime, Almighty So 2 is becoming mythical at this point.

Read More: Why Was Chief Keef Banned From The BET Awards?

Chief Keef’s Almighty So 2 Delayed… Again

Still, Chief Keef seems as intent as ever to drop it and hype up its eventual release to his adoring fans. For example, he recently took to social media to show off his new Lamborghini, and the flex didn’t come without a vague but promising update on his next project. “Almighty So 2 OTW!!! We celebrating,” he wrote as the post’s caption, which was almost two months ago. This led many to believe that it would release promptly, but clearly something happened along the way that once again changed plans.

Even though it hasn’t been an absolute drought from the drill pioneer, it’s understandable that this release would get this much anticipation behind it. There’s nothing like a sequel to a cult classic, especially one with such a mysterious, long, and teased release history. All we can hope for is that the stars align perfectly for that Friday the 13th release date, since that just sounds too perfect to be true. Regardless, stay logged into HNHH for the latest news and updates on Chief Keef and Almighty So 2.

Read More: Chief Keef Net Worth 2023: What Is The Rapper Worth?

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Lil Uzi Vert Producer Responds To Impatient Fans Asking About “Pink Tape”

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Lil Uzi Vert has become a prominent figure in the hip-hop industry. The rapper has gained a reputation for releasing music at a slow pace. This has understandably leaving fans eagerly awaiting his projects. He dropped Luv Is Rage 2 in 2017 and followed it up with Eternal Atake in 2020. However, there is currently no concrete release date for his upcoming album, Pink Tape. Instead, fans have been relying on leaked tracks, which are limited in number. This has led to restlessness among his fanbase. Luckily for the fans, Uzi recently sparked speculation about his involvement in another artist’s new album.

In a photo shared by Our Generation Music, Lil Uzi Vert can be seen wearing a beanie with the word “UTOPIA.” This is widely recognized as a reference to Travis Scott’s highly anticipated album. The logo associated with Utopia generated excitement among fans when Scott revealed it. With Uzi sporting this merchandise, the question arises as to whether he will be featured on the album. However, only Travis Scott and Mike Dean hold the answer to that question, and as of now, they have chosen to keep that information under wraps.

Lil Uzi’s Fans Are Tired Of Waiting

Lil Uzi Vert’s dedicated fanbase appears to have grown weary of the ongoing delays surrounding the release of the rapper’s Pink Tape album. This has prompted their producer to provide an explanation. Over the years, the Philadelphia rapper has been teasing this highly-anticipated project. It would mark their first release since 2020’s Eternal Atake. In April, DJ Drama provided the most recent update. During his appearance on the Justin Credible Podcast, he said that the album was in its “final stages.” However, fans were still dissatisfied, leading Uzi’s producer to clarify the current status of the project.

Taking to Instagram, Uzi’s producer, Lyle, emphasized that they are not rushing the album because their intention is to create a “classic” rather than a collection of “random songs.” Lyle also revealed that Uzi has been consistently recording around five songs per day, which have been progressively improving. However, this has contributed to the lengthy wait for the album, as it has been challenging to narrow down the selection from over 1500 songs to create a cohesive album. What do you think of the delays on Lil Uzi Vert’s album? Let us know in the comments!