jury

YNW Melly Jury: One Woman’s Hesitation To Convict Reportedly Lead To Mistrial

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After watching endless chaos unfold during YNW Melly’s double murder trial earlier this summer, the Florida native was surprisingly granted a mistrial. His attorneys attempted to motion for one earlier on in proceedings and were ultimately denied. However, the jury’s failure to come to a consensus led the presiding judge to rule in Melly’s favour. Of course, this doesn’t mean he’s walking free. Rather, prosecutors will be re-trying the case again in the fall. An October court date was already set at the end of July.

Many who have been keeping up with the trial are curious as to know exactly what happened with the jury behind closed doors. Thankfully, Local 10 News finally has some answers. According to them, the majority of members were on board with convicting Melly. However, one woman in particular held her ground on defending the accused killer. “From day one, she had issues with the foreperson selected, at one point crossing her arms and saying she was ‘Done!’” another juror recalled to the outlet.

Read More: YNW Melly Trial To Begin In October

YNW Melly’s First Jury Couldn’t Come to an Agreement

 
 
 
 
 
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“When another juror asked to not shut down and set her feelings aside, she exploded… She was explosive, manipulative, she was rude, she yelled insults at anyone who had a different opinion,” they further noted. Elsewhere, the anonymous source claimed the same woman was there specifically “to cause chaos.” The next group of jurors selected to hold Melly’s fate in their hands will obviously be different, though it’s possible we could see the same final outcome take place later this year.

Throughout the first YNW Melly trial, his mother, Jamie King, made frequent headlines for her comments on social media. In the midst of proceedings, she claimed that the stress she’s experienced while watching her son potentially face the death penalty gave her a heart attack. After a mistrial was declared last month, she also spoke out online. Read what King had to say at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

Read More: YNW Melly’s Mom Speaks Out Following Mistrial

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YNW Melly Trial Reaches Jury Deliberation

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After weeks of testimony and years of anticipation. YNW Melly’s fate will soon be known. A few days ago after presenting their final arguments, it was made clear that Melly would not testify in his own case. The defense and prosecution then rested both of their cases. Now, according to Pitchfork jury deliberation has begun. That jury will be responsible for uncovering whether or not Melly is guilty of first-degree murder charges stemming all the way back to 2018.

According to prosecutors, YNW Melly murdered two of his friends after leaving a recording studio one night in 2018. They then propose that he had an associate bring the pair to a local hospital alleging that they had been shot in a drive-by shooting. Melly’s defense has spent weeks trying to refute various claims made by the prosecutors. Details like whether or not bullets were fired from inside the car, when Melly was actually inside the car, and what motivations he might have had to commit either murder have been poured over for weeks. The Broward County jury now have the fate of the rapper in their hands.

Jury Deliberation Begins For YNW Melly

Earlier in the week prosecution scored a victory. They were allowed to read some of YNW Melly’s texts out loud in court. Despite the defense arguing that many of them weren’t directly related and that specific texts to Melly’s mother would unfairly sway the jury, they were ruled eligible. One particular text seemed to stick out to many. Melly reportedly texted Peezy Gambino “I did that” following the alleged double murder.

The move to deliberation comes after multiple delays to the trial that kept it going on far longer than many fans anticipated. A final delay resulting from illness in the court was made last week. Once everyone returned it didn’t take long for the presentation of arguments to wrap up. Jury deliberation is expected to last until at least tomorrow. What do you think the jury will ultimately decide in the YNW Melly case? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: YNW Melly Trial: Lead Investigator Admits To Threatening Witnesses

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The post YNW Melly Trial Reaches Jury Deliberation appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

YNW Melly’s Death Penalty Potential Made Easier By Florida Judge

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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.

Read More: YNW Melly Is “In Fear Of [His] Life” According To Lengthy IG Posts

YNW Melly is Eager to Come Home

 

 
 
 
 
 
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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.

Read More: YNW Melly’s Trial Begins Jury Selection

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No Verdict Reached In XXXTENTACION Murder Trial As Jury Deliberates For 20+ Hours

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The trial surrounding the death of XXXTENTACION has nearly come to an end, though the jury continues to struggle to reach a verdict. Last week, the prosecutors and defense for Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams, and Trayvon Newsome provided their closing arguments after several weeks of trial. Over the past few weeks, the jury heard from several witnesses, including XXXXTENTACION’s uncle, and reviewed evidence before they were left to deliberate the verdict. According to CTV, they’ve tried to reach a verdict after reviewing evidence connected to XXXTENTACION’s death. They’ll return to court on Thursday (March 16th) to continue.

The jury began to deliberate The reason for the delay surrounds two technical questions as the jury asked Circuit Judge Michael Usan about two specific pieces of evidence. The first surrounded the video of the men revealing $100 bills shortly after X’s death on June 18th, 2018. They also inquired whether they could open an envelope containing a collection of fingerprints before submitting a verdict in the XXXTENTACION murder trial. Judge Usan agreed that they could review both pieces of evidence as deliberation resumes. 

Awaiting Verdict In XXXTENTACION Murder Trial

Jury fails to reach verdict in XXXTENTACION case after six days of deliberation
MIAMI BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 06: XXXTentacion (C) attends BET Hip Hop Awards 2017 on October 6, 2017 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Thaddaeus McAdams/FilmMagic)

Boatwright, Williams, and Newsome are currently charged with second-degree murder and armed robbery. However, they’ve maintained their innocence since the trial began. The defense claimed that the star witness, Robert Allen, who confessed to taking part in the robbery, was lying to avoid a life sentence. Meanwhile, the jury reviewed plenty of surveillance footage from  Riva Motorsports that documented the moments leading up to XXXTENTACION’s death, including one video where two masked gunmen approach X’s car before shooting him and stealing a duffle bag of cash, that most felt would secure a guilty verdict.

In addition to the footage, the jury also reviewed text messages from Boatwright, who’s alleged to be the shooter. The text messages reveal that he sent text messages to 17 people about getting a car while prosecutors claim that a woman rented the vehicle through an app. There was also a text where he said, “Tell my brother I got the money for the new phone.” Another text from Boatwright included a screenshot of the news surrounding X’s murder. Despite the evidence that prosecutors believe ties the three defendants to the crime, the defense argued that detectives didn’t thoroughly investigate other possibilities including Drake’s alleged involvement. We’ll keep you posted on any more updates surrounding the verdict in XXXTENTACION’s murder case.

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Jurors See Graphic Video Of XXXTentacion Murder

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After years of preparation and investigation, the trial for the murder of Jahseh Onfroy is underway. Better known globally as XXXTentacion, Onfroy was gunned down in his home state in the summer of 2018. Four people were arrested in connection with the crime, and three are currently on trial after their accomplice turned state’s witness. Robert Allen has taken the stand against Michael Boatwright, 27, Dedrick Williams, 26, and Trayvon Newsome, 24. He detailed the plot to rob Onfroy.

CBS News further reported that the jury sat through the full surveillance video that showed the moment Onfroy was killed. That day, the rapper withdrew $50,000 from a back and later visited a motorbike shop. He was sitting in his BMW about to leave the parking lot when he was accosted but the group and shot in his driver’s seat.

MIAMI BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 06: Rapper XXXTentacion attends the BET Hip Hop Awards 2017 at The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater on October 6, 2017 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET )
Read More: XXXTentacion Defendant Takes Stand As State’s Witness

Robert Allen, 26, reportedly pleaded guilty to second-degree murder back in August 2022. The other defendants are all looking at first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm. Attorneys for the defense further argued that Allen was lying about the botched robbery to save his own skin. Allen claimed he and the defendants conspired on June 17, the day before the murder, to rent a vehicle. The purpose was to drive around the city and rob people. They reportedly purchased masks, armed themselves with guns, and went to find potential victims.

“Deidrick said it’s XXX,” Allen said of running into Onfroy by chance. The group quickly constructed a plan. They allegedly waited for Onfroy to leave the store. In the video jurors saw, the crew’s Dodge SUV blocked Tentacion’s car and prevented him from leaving. CBS News also reported, “Two men, one of them armed with a long-barrel rifle, went to his car to demand his jewelry and take his designer bag.”

Read More: XXXTentacion’s Uncle Recounts Day Of Rapper’s Murder

Another person was in the car with Onfroy when he was murdered, but they ran for safety. They were described as a relative. “I couldn’t see or hear what XXX was saying,” Allen also claimed. He didn’t get out of the vehicle because “I knew there was a good chance I would get caught. I did not want to get arrested.” Because he didn’t leave the SUV, Allen was only given $5,000 of the stolen money.

Immediately following Onfroy’s murder, clips of him dying in his vehicle circulated online. People quickly called for them to be taken down. Additionally, the three defendants on trial face upwards of life in prison.

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Tory Lanez Trial: Jury Begins Deliberation

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The prosecutors and defense rested their cases in Tory Lanez’s trial and now, the jury’s off to deliberate the verdict.

Following testimony from a number of witnesses, including Megan Thee Stallion herself, the jury will not determine whether or not the Canadian rapper shot the Houston artist. The jury currently consists of five men and seven women.

According to Nancy Dillon, the jury heard the defense rest their case around and then received the case at 11:15 a.m. PT.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 25: Tory Lanez attends 2020 Roc Nation THE BRUNCH on January 25, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Erik Voake/Getty Images for Roc Nation)

At this point, the jury has until the end of the day to come up with a verdict. If not, they’ll be back tomorrow to deliberate on the outcome of the trial. Prosecutors asked for a continuance since Jaquan Smith, Tory Lanez’s driver the night, didn’t provide a witness statement. However, the defense didn’t agree with the motion.

“We believe we have more than enough and we are afraid with the holidays we will lose jurors and it will result in a mistrial,” Tory’s lawyer said. Prosecutors felt there was a better chance Quan would come into court if there was a continuance. Still, there’s a possibility that the trial could continue after the holiday weekend.

In the prosecution’s final word, prosecutor Kathy Ta displayed a chart demonstrating the evidence against Tory Lanez.

“I am a visual learner,” Ta said. “This is how straightforward the evidence in the case is…We really only have three suspects.”

The prosecution said that Megan showcased courage when taking the stand. especially as she faced significant backlash online.

Tory Lanez is facing 22 years in prison and deportation if convicted on all counts. He pleaded not guilty to charges of discharging a firearm with gross negligence, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle.

We’ll keep you posted on any more updates surrounding the case.