Stay updated in the double murder trial against rapper YNW Melly — whose birth name is Jamell Demons. The up-and-coming star is accused of killing two of his friends — also rappers — then staging the murders as a drive-by shooting in the Miami area. Testimony resumes at 9 am today after a week off for the July Fourth holiday.
The state finished its questioning of crime scene detective and shooting reconstruction expert Sgt. Christopher Williams on the last day of court before the break. YNW Juvy’s mother briefly testified identifying her son in surveillance video. The rest of the day was filled with entering more then 300 photos and videos into evidence.
During the week off from testimony, Judge John Murphy denied the state’s motion Friday for a jury view of the car in which Anthony Williams, aka YNW Sakchaser, and Christopher Thomas Jr., aka YNW Juvy, were killed.
“I don’t think it’s necessary,” Murphy said of the state’s request. Melly is accused of staging the drive-by and being the shooter.
The Case Details
In October 2018, YNW Melly’s best friend, Cortlen Henry, aka YNW Bortlen, showed up to a Miami area hospital claiming his friends were hit during a drive-by shooting. He said they were bleeding out inside his car, according to the rapper’s arrest affidavit.
Williams, aka YNW Sakchaser, and Thomas, aka YNW Juvy, were found dead with multiple gunshot wounds. Henry told detectives he just left a recording studio with Williams and Thomas in Fort Lauderdale when a car pulled up and started shooting. Henry said he was able to duck from the bullets, but Williams and Thomas were hit.
When police arrived to the “crime scene,” they found no evidence that there had been a shooting. As officers investigated, surveillance video showed Melly, Henry, Williams and Thomas together in Henry’s car when Henry claimed the shooting happened. After looking at phone data and blood spatter evidence, detectives determined the group were together the night of the crime and the victims were shot in the car.
Police arrested Melly for two counts of first-degree murder in February 2019. If convicted, Melly faces the death penalty.
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