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The double murder trial of rapper YNW Melly
The double murder trial of rapper YNW Melly, whose legal name is Jamell Demons, has had many twists and turns since the South Florida artist was accused of killing his childhood best friends Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr. in 2019.
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Broward top prosecutors won’t have to testify in YNW Melly’s murder trial. Here’s why
Rapper YNW Melly’s murder retrial is getting pushed back again. When is the new date?
Prosecutors want to use 55 songs against YNW Melly in retrial. Which are on the list?
Could lyrics be used against YNW Melly in double murder retrial? Prosecutors will try
Another account emerges as detective in YNW Melly case takes the stand. What did he say?
When will YNW Melly’s retrial start? Judge sets new date, gives prosecutors more time
Lead detective in YNW Melly case set to be questioned. Here’s why — and what it means
Detective in YNW Melly case has been accused of wrongdoing. Will he get questioned again?
Prosecutor in YNW Melly case wanted rapper’s mother banned from trial. What happened?
Could witness tampering case enter YNW Melly’s murder trial? New prosecutor wants that
There’s a new prosecutor for YNW Melly trial, and she had a role in another rapper case
Who will the new prosecutor be in the YNW Melly murder case? Where things stand
Prosecutor removed from the YNW Melly murder case days before retrial. What happened?
YNW Melly’s retrial pushed back after heated hearing. Here’s what happened
Prosecutor accused detective in YNW Melly case of lying. Police say that didn’t occur
Days before retrial, YNW Melly faces a new charge. Defense says it’s a distraction
Prosecutor accused detective in YNW Melly case of lying. She’s now a defense witness
YNW Melly’s lawyers want to remove the Broward prosecutors’ office from case. But why?
YNW Melly’s lawyers are challenging evidence as retrial looms. Here’s what — and why
YNW Melly’s lawyers urge judge to throw out rapper’s double murder case. Here’s why
YNW Melly must stay in jail, judge rules, as rapper’s new trial approaches. What to know
No decision on bond for YNW Melly as rapper’s second trial approaches. What to know
Could YNW Melly be released from jail? A judge to decide at special hearing. What to know
Lead detective in YNW Melly case under investigation, defense says. What to know so far
While YNW Melly awaits new trial in jail, his lawyers want him out. Could that happen?
At first appearance since mistrial, YNW Melly hears his new double murder trial date
Expert weighs in on YNW Melly mistrial. Was this outcome uncommon? What happens now?
Mistrial declared after jury deadlocked in YNW Melly double murder trial
Jury in YNW Melly case says it’s deadlocked. Here’s what that means
State, defense wrap up YNW Melly double murder trial. Case is now in the jury’s hands
Was YNW Melly at home or behind the gun? Witness says he knows the rapper’s whereabouts
Prosecutors rest in YNW Melly double murder trial. Here are five key revelations
State rests in YNW Melly’s double murder trial. So, what’s next in the rapper’s case?
Did the phone belong to YNW Melly? Lead detective testifies as state tries to wrap up case
Snapchat messages and a change of clothes: YNW Melly murder trial resumes after break
Masked witness, gang ties and limited DNA? Where YNW Melly double murder trial stands
Why the YNW Melly murder trial will go on. What his lawyer wanted and what judge ruled
YNW Melly double murder trial heats up as judge considers mistrial after chaotic testimony
So far, state hasn’t provided motive in YNW Melly case. One victim’s dad has a theory
Calculated cover-up or a botched investigation? Jury will decide in YNW Melly murder trial
Life or death? Fate of ‘Murder on My Mind’ rapper rests with eight jurors, judge rules
He rapped ‘Murder on My Mind.’ Now, jury will decide if he’s behind a double homicide
Murder victim’s family wants rapper YNW Melly in jail despite contracting coronavirus
Incarcerated Florida rapper YNW Melly says he has tested positive for coronavirus
UPDATE: Mistrial declared after jury deadlocks in YNW Melly double murder trial
The jury tasked with deciding the fate of rapper YNW Melly can’t come to a decision, they told Broward Circuit Judge John Murphy Friday.
“What if we can’t come to a decision?” the jurors wrote in a note. “Everyone is stuck on which side they chose.”
Friday was the second day of jury deliberations.
After receiving the note, Murphy brought the jury back into the courtroom and read them the Allen charge, a set of instructions given to a jury that believe it’s deadlocked. The charge urges jurors to continue deliberating before coming to a conclusion. But if they don’t, the case will result in a mistrial.
Melly, who’s often expressive and flashed smiles at loved ones and supporters during the trial, was straight faced when the jury was read the charge.
Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, is accused of shooting to death his childhood friends Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr. in an alleged drive-by cover-up after spending the night of Oct. 26, 2018, at a Fort Lauderdale recording studio. Williams and Thomas, both aspiring rappers with the YNW collective, were known as YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy, respectively.
The 24-year-old’s case is among the first being considered after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law to lower the threshold for a death sentence to an 8-4 jury vote, from a unanimous vote.
What would a mistrial mean?
If the jury remains deadlocked, the judge will declare a mistrial. But that doesn’t mean Melly would be found innocent.
Mistrials usually occur after a jury is unable to reach a verdict or if there was misconduct or a serious error that could lead to an unfair trial. Prosecutors may pursue a new trial within 90 days of the original trial, in most cases.
That means the state has the option to retry the rapper.
This story was originally published July 21, 2023 3:26 PM.