Rapper YNW Melly (Jamell Demons) was best known for the song “Murder on My Mind”, and in 2019 he released the song “Mixed Personalities” together with artists then known as Kanye West (now Ye). He was accused of shooting his two friends, aspiring rappers, 21-year-old Anthony Williams (YNW Sakchaser) and 19-year-old Christopher Thomas Junior (YNW Juvy) to death. They died on October 26, 2018 in Miramar.
Surprising verdict in case of rapper accused of double murder
Local police reported that Melly, with the involvement of fellow rapper Cortlen Henry (UNW Bortlen), allegedly attempted to cover up the murder and stage the crime scene to make it appear that the victims were shot from a passing car. The accomplice was supposed to take Williams and Thomas to the Miramar Memorial Hospital, where both were found to have died from their wounds, “reports”.
The Florida State’s Attorney’s Office filed charges against Melly and sought the death penalty. Prosecutors were confident they could prove “beyond reasonable doubt” that Melly had murdered his friends for “financial gain.” “The murder was particularly heinous, abhorrent and cruel, and he committed it in a cold, calculated and thoughtful manner,” prosecutors said in papers filed with the court. YNW Melly pleaded not guilty, although in 2020 the police were to inform that they had obtained a recording from the rapper’s phone, which was to be the key evidence in the case. He was supposed to admit that he shot two people in the head – the video was shot a month after the shooting.
Prosecutors allege that Melly shot the victims in the car as they returned from a recording session at a studio in Fort Lauderdale. According to them, Melly and Henry then drove the same car to the Everglades area, where they staged the crime scene to make it look like they had been shot at by another car.
The trial in the case began in June 2023. For 19 days, the defense and the prosecution shuffled the evidence in the courtroom. The defense argued that Melly had no motive to kill the victims, and the weapon with which the crimes were committed could not be found.
The jury deliberated on the verdict for two days. In the meantime, she was re-examining some of the evidence. The jury voted three times on the verdict, but failed to reach a unanimous decision, it is reported. Therefore, the judge had to annul the trial. That means a new trial with a new jury will be required.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
