A Broward County judge is considering whether to give rapper YNW Melly a chance to get out of jail ahead of his retrial for double murder, set for 2027.
Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, is charged with the murders of two longtime friends, Christopher Thomas, Jr. and Anthony Williams.
In a four-hour-long hearing on Thursday, Demons’ attorneys argued that if the rapper is given a bond, his entire family would help him stick to any conditions set by the judge.
His grandmother spoke about the jail restrictions that keep him from having visitors or making phone calls.
“It broke my heart not being able to communicate, just to hear his voice, it was very difficult,” Audrey Gross said.
The defense has already set up a home in Broward County where Demons could live for eight months if the judge agrees to let him out before trial. There are numerous conditions he would have to follow if given a bond, including no access to social media, limited movement and 24-hour supervision.
The judge said he will issue a written order about a bond in the coming days.
Broward Sheriff’s Office
Broward Sheriff’s Office Jamell Demons, whose stage name is YNW Melly
Prosecutors in Broward County in January dropped tampering with a witness charges against him one day before his trial was set to start. A total of four charges were dropped, including tampering with a witness, directing activities of a criminal gang, criminal solicitation to commit murder and conspiracy to tamper with a witness on a capital felony.
The charges stem from allegations that Demons, now 26, tried to convince a key witness not to take the stand in his 2023 double murder retrial.
Police in Miramar alleged Demons shot and killed Thomas, Jr. and Williams in a car after spending the night of Oct. 26, 2018 at a Fort Lauderdale recording studio.
Investigators say Demons, along with co-defendant Cortlen Henry, staged a drive-by shooting in Miramar near the Everglades and claimed they were all victims.
State prosecutors tried Demons in 2023 for the murders, but it ended with a deadlocked jury and the judge declared a mistrial.
Attorneys said one juror who favored Demons refused to convict him and convinced two others to vote “not guilty.”
Henry took a plea deal and was sentenced to 10 years in prison on witness tampering and accessory after the fact charges. In exchange, the state dropped the two murder charges against him.
Demons’ double murder retrial is set for January 2027. He could face the death penalty if he is found guilty.
