When YNW Melly goes on trial later this month for the murder of two pals, a change in Florida law might make it easier for the 24-year-old rapper to receive the death penalty if convicted.
Melly, whose official name is Jamell Demons, is charged with two counts of murder in the 2018 shooting murders of his group members Chris Thomas, 20, known as YNW Juvy, and Anthony Williams, 21, known as YNW Sakchaser.
Cortlen Henry, also known as YNW Bortlen, is a fourth member who faces murder allegations. Bortlen was driving the night of the murders, according to police, and they claimed they were the victims of a drive-by shooting. Bortlen’s case will be heard separately.
Members Of The YNW Were Assassinated
Melly, Bortlen, Juvy, and Sakchaser were murdered on October 26, 2018, after leaving a recording session in an SUV.
Bortlen drove to the hospital, claiming that the group had been the target of a drive-by gunshot. Juvy and Sakchaser had been assassinated. Melly tweeted after the deaths, “They Took My Brothers From Me Over Jealousy I know y’all watching over me.”
Melly and Bortlen were charged with the premeditated killings of Juvy and Sakchaser in April 2019. They both entered not-guilty pleas.
Bortlen’s trial date has not yet been set.
Prosecutors in Broward County indicated that they would seek the death penalty against Melly, with the cooperation of the victims’ families.
Melly’s trial has been postponed multiple times because of COVID and disagreements on the death penalty and evidence. Melly was 19 years old when the killings occurred.
In Florida, The Death Penalty Has Been Abolished
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation lowering the threshold for the imposition of the death penalty into law in April. By an 8-4 vote, the new law provides for the death sentence. To impose the death penalty, jurors have to vote unanimously 12-0.
“Florida has now stated, ‘We don’t care if a third of you disagree.'” If two-thirds of you do, the judge will grant permission,” said Jules Epstein, a law professor at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law.
Jurors in death penalty cases must be “death-qualified,” which means they must answer additional questions regarding their attitudes toward the death sentence. Prosecutors usually ask prospective jurors if they can put aside their personal or religious beliefs and follow the law in terms of punishment.
“Given that you start with a group of people who support the death penalty, increasing the number of dissents that can still be ignored makes it easier to get a death sentence,” Epstein explained.
The rule was changed in response to Nikolas Cruz’s life sentence in the Parkland, Florida, school shooting case last year. Cruz pleaded guilty to the murders of 17 students and faculty members on Valentine’s Day in 2018. Cruz had already discussed his plans to conduct the killings over the Internet.
Melly’s jury selection began in April. His mother appeared upbeat on social media at the moment.
“Melly is on her way home.” I went to court today expecting more delays, but instead, we began jury selection. “I can’t explain how I feel because my anxiety is all over the place, but God has us,” Jamie King posted on Instagram.
The jury selection process is still in progress. Later this month, opening comments are planned.
Celebrity, Legal Issues, And Personalities
Melly was reared by a single mother in southwest Florida. He started writing and recording music as a teenager. Melly, then 16, was accused in 2015 after firing a gun near three people outside Vero Beach High School. The three victims were students who were not injured.
Melly wrote “Murder on My Mind” and “Balenciega Blues” while serving his term. Melly became famous after his music was released on Sound Cloud and YouTube. He worked with several musicians, notably Kanye West.
Melly explains his faith in God in various YouTube videos.
“Whatever you want to do, as long as you have God and faith on your side,” Melly remarked in one clip.
However, the videos show a darker side to the young performer. In one of them, he talks about having two personalities: Melly and Melvin. Melly resembles “Michael Jackson, literally Michael Jackson, but still thugging it.”
Melly went on to claim that Melvin is unique and that he is only allowed out at night.
“Melvin’s just like, once you play with Melly, to a certain extent, Melvin just don’t like that.”
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