Mistrial declared in rapper YNW Mellys double murder trial

After 19 days of hearing arguments, a mistrial has been declared by a judge due to the jury’s failure to reach a unanimous decision on YNW Melly’s double murder accusations.

Jamell Demons, known by his stage name YNW Melly, is accused of two first-degree murder charges in the Oct. 26, 2018 killings of 21-year-old Anthony Williams and 19-year-old Christopher Thomas in Miramar.

Despite three days of deliberations, the 12-member panel could not reach a unanimous verdict. Prosecutors from Broward County, who sought the death penalty, are likely to opt for a retrial with a new jury, as a unanimous verdict is necessary for conviction or acquittal of a defendant.

Broward Circuit Judge John Murphy urged the jurors to continue deliberating twice after they reported being deadlocked. However, upon their third deadlock, the judge relented.

Demons, now 24, has pleaded not guilty and could face death sentence if found guilty.

According to prosecutors, Demons, Williams, and Thomas, were in a Jeep driven by Cortland Henry, also known as YNW Bortlen, after a recording session in Fort Lauderdale on Oct. 26, 2018, where Demons allegedly shot Williams and Thomas. Henry is charged as an accomplice and will be tried separately.

Williams and Thomas, part of the YNW collective, were fatally shot while inside the Jeep. Prosecutors claim it was part of a gang action, but the defense argues against this, highlighting the close friendship between Demons and the victims as evidence.

Following the killings, prosecutors allege that Demons and Henry drove the bodies to an area near the Everglades, where they staged a drive-by shooting to cover up the crime. However, ballistics tests indicate that the victims were shot from inside the Jeep.

The defense emphasized the lack of recovery of the gun and argued that YNW Melly had no apparent motive for the crime.

Thomas, also known as YNW Juvy, and Williams, known as YNW Sakchaser, were childhood friends of Demons and part of the YNW collective.

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