Gifford rapper YNW Melly was arrested in February 2019 for allegedly murdering his friends, Christopher Thomas Jr. and Anthony Williams, and staging their murders as a drive-by shooting.
Melly is facing the death penalty if he is convicted and has pleaded not guilty. YNW Melly’s murder trial is expected to begin in June 2023. Let’s unravel the story.
Who is YNW Melly?
- Jamell Maurice Demons, professionally known as YNW Melly (which stands for Young Nigga World Melly), is a rap artist and vocalist of American origin.
- His most popular tracks include Murder on My Mind, Mixed Personalities featuring Kanye West, Suicidal with Juice Wrld’s collaboration, and the 9lokkNine-featuring song 223’s.
- The song titled Murder on my mind became his breakthrough hit while he was also facing charges regarding killing two fellow rappers who were associates in his group named ‘YNW.’
- In November 2019, he launched his first album, Melly vs. Melvin, which peaked at #8 in Billboard chart rankings.
- YNW BSlime, who happens to be the brother of Demons, also pursues a career in the music industry as a rapper.
A Troubled Childhood
Jamell Demons, who prefers to be called YNW Melly, was brought into the world on May 1st, 1999, in Gifford, Florida.
Growing up under his mother, Jamie Demons-King’s care without knowing his birth father, must have been challenging.
Donte “Tha Gift” Taylor claims to fill that father figure role for him, but it isn’t clear whether there is a biological relationship.
YNW Melly’s mother gave birth to Jamell during her ninth-grade year at just fourteen years old and raised him alone all these years.
Unfortunately, the rapper embraced gang culture from a young age which might have influenced some of his choices later.
Being passionate about music since early teenagehood led Jamel towards sharing his art through SoundCloud when he was only fifteen, making steps forward with each day as an artist.
A regrettable event took place around Vero Beach High School sometime near late 2015, where he was arrested due to accusations regarding a shooting at multiple students.
Demons was consequently sentenced guilty along three charges, including aggravated battery, leading him behind bars for some months paying off court-ordered expenses.
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What Led to YNW Melly’s Arrest?
In October 2018, Cortlen Henry, a close acquaintance of Melly, arrived at a hospital in Miami. He reported that his pals were wounded during an attack by assailants traveling past them in their vehicle.
The law enforcement personnel and medical rescue team identified two individuals, Anthony Williams, and Christopher Thomas, with severe head/ torso injuries resulting from multiple gunshots.
Unfortunately, both had succumbed to their grievous wounds by then.
Henry told detectives he had just left a recording studio with Williams and Thomas in Fort Lauderdale when a car pulled up and started shooting, police say.
Henry said he was able to duck from the bullets, but Williams and Thomas were hit.
It’s bout that time 🥶 y’all can uncross y’all 🥜 i’ll be home this year 💙🌍 pic.twitter.com/l6JgBUW3mu
— Melvin & Melly 2 Face 🌗 (@YNWMelly) April 19, 2022
When officers showed up at the crime scene, police found no evidence of a shooting, detectives confirmed.
As officers continued investigating, surveillance video showed Melly, Henry, Williams, and Thomas together in Henry’s car when Henry claimed the shooting happened, according to Melly’s arrest report.
After looking at phone data and blood splatter evidence, detectives said it was clear the group was together the night of the crime, and the victims had been shot in the car.
Police arrested Melly and Henry for two counts of first-degree murder in February 2019.
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Updates on YNW Melly’s Murder Trial
As a result of the possibility that Melly may face execution if convicted, it is expected that selecting the jury will be a lengthy process.
Both he and his childhood friend and fellow musician Cortlen Henry, aka YNW Bortlen, are accused of committing two counts of first-degree murder using firearms.
That resulted in the deaths of Anthony Williams, popularly called YNW Sakchaser, and Christopher Thomas Jr., aka YNW Juvy, in 2018.
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Henry and Demons have pleaded not guilty to these charges, although the latter could face capital punishment if found guilty, while both will be tried separately.
Presently, Demons finds himself behind bars at the Broward County Jail. Also, Judge John Murphy lowered the threshold for a death sentence with an 8-4 vote.
So, what will be the fate of the Murder on My Mind rapper? Will he be proven guilty or innocent? Continue following us for more updates on the YNW Melly’s news.
