jury

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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A post shared by Just A Matter Of Slime 💚 (@ynwmelly)

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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The post YNW Melly’s Death Penalty Potential Made Easier By Florida Judge appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

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.