The latest update to YNW Melly double murder trial; Melly was back in court today (Friday Aug.4). The 24-year-old rapper, went before the judge for a brief hearing. Today it was decided that Jamell Demons, which is Melly's birth name second murder trial will be pushed back a week.
Jury selection, which was set to begin Oct. 2 will now begin Oct. 9. Melly is accused of shooting two of his friends to death in a car in 2018 in Miramar.
As Melly was walking out of the courtroom, he appeared to mouth something close to "I’m coming home" or “I’m going home" to his attorney. Then he gave a big smile and as he was about to turn the corner, then clapped.
Jemell Demons, Williams and Thomas were riding in a Jeep driven by Cortland Henry, known as YNW Bortlen, leaving a recording session in Fort Lauderdale when Demons fatally shot Williams and Thomas,.Authorities said Demons and Henry staged the crime scene to resemble a drive-by shooting. Henry is charged as an accomplice in the case but will be tried separately.
After killing Williams and Thomas, prosecutors said Demons and Henry drove the bodies to an area near the Everglades, where they shot at the back and passenger sides of Henry’s Jeep from the outside to make it look like Williams and Thomas had been the victims of a drive-by shooting, but prosecutors say ballistics tests show the pair were shot from inside the Jeep.
During his first trial, prosecutors said the shooting was part of a gang action, while defense attorneys said the motive lacked credibility because Demons and the victims were close friends. Thomas Jr. and Williams were part of the YNW collective and were friends since childhood.
The defense said Demons was at home at the time of the killings.
The initial double murder trial ended in mistrial, when jurors were couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict. Two new attorneys have been added to Demons’ defense team for the re-trial. Demons has pleaded not guilty and faces a possible death sentence if convicted.
You can continue to check back here for updates on the second dould murder trial for Melly.
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