YNW Melly Faces New Trial After Mistrial in Murder Case

Gifford, Florida — YNW Melly, the 25-year-old rapper whose real name is Jamell Demons, is set to return to court following a mistrial in July 2023 regarding charges of murder. The mistrial occurred after jurors deliberated for three days on whether Demons was guilty of fatally shooting two friends, Anthony Williams, 21, and Christopher Thomas Jr., 19, during a recording session in October 2018.

The rapper, hailing from Gifford in Indian River County, gained prominence as a member of the hip-hop collective YNW (Young New Wave) and is known for collaborations with artists including Ye, Lil Uzi Vert, Kodak Black, and Lil Baby. He achieved fame with his breakout song “Mixed Personalities” from his 2018 album, “I Am You.”

Demons’ upcoming trial is scheduled against the backdrop of serious allegations. Prosecutors maintain that he shot both Williams and Thomas inside a Jeep Compass and later attempted to stage the incident as a drive-by shooting. According to court proceedings, after the shooting, Demons and his co-defendant, Cortlen Henry, drove the victims’ bodies into the Everglades, where they shot the vehicle to create the impression of an attack by assailants.

At approximately 4:35 a.m. on October 26, 2018, Henry drove the injured men to Memorial Hospital Miramar, claiming that they had been attacked. Prosecutors later stated that ballistics tests indicated the shooting occurred inside the vehicle, contradicting Henry’s claims that attackers shot from outside.

Demons’ legal team has consistently disputed the prosecution’s narrative. They argue that the close friendship between Demons and the victims undermines the claims of malicious intent. Defense attorneys also noted the lack of a recovered murder weapon as a significant hole in the case.

As he awaits his next trial, Demons is seeking release from Broward County Jail, where he has been held for almost three years. His attorney, Ravon Liberty, has filed a motion alleging that Demons has experienced severe mental abuse in custody, stating, “He has not had any contact with the outside world in three years. Mr. Demons remains, to this day, a lucrative recording artist with streams of income.”

In a recent social media post, Demons shared a message with his over 4 million Instagram followers, expressing optimism about the new year. “Happy New Years, 25 in 2025, perfect timing,” he captioned a photo of himself. Fans and supporters have flooded his post with messages advocating for his release.

Demons is expected to reappear in court on May 6 for a hearing regarding his release. His upcoming trial raises the stakes significantly, as he now faces the possibility of a death penalty for the charges related to the murders of Williams and Thomas.

This complicated legal battle remains ongoing, with his latest album release in 2024 and a single “Overdose” also launched that year. Fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar has mentioned YNW Melly in his songs, referencing the complexities of fame in the music industry. Demons himself has discussed the mixed feelings of being recognized in such a fashion, saying, “I’m honored and appalled. I’m a household name — just for the wrong reasons.”