The Broward County double murder case of rapper YNW Melly is currently under discussion.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida. – On Friday, there are discussions on the double murder case of Florida rapper YNW Melly.
Mellie, whose real name is Jamel Demons, is accused of killing two of her friends, Christopher Thomas Jr. and Anthony Williams, back in October 2018 in Broward County.
Williams and Thomas were both part of the YNW collective, known respectively as YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy.
According to prosecutors, the Demons, Williams and Thomas were riding in a jeep driven by Courtland Henry, known as YNW Bortlen, after a recording session in Fort Lauderdale when the Demons fatally shot Williams and Thomas. Henry is charged with complicity in the case and will be tried separately.
After killing Williams and Thomas, prosecutors said, the Demons and Henry drove the bodies to an area near the Everglades, where they shot the rear and passenger side of Henry’s jeep from the outside to make it look like Williams and Thomas were the victims of a drive-by shooting.
Defense lawyers, presenting their closing arguments on Thursday afternoon, focused on the fact that the gun that was fired was never found. They also told jurors that Mellie had no obvious motive.
Prosecutors said the shooting was part of the gang’s actions, while defense lawyers said it lacked credibility because the Demons and the victims were close friends.
“The overall picture puts Mr. Demon in the back seat of this Jeep. Looks like he’s holding a gun. You don’t need a murder weapon to know he committed these two crimes,” prosecutor Christine Bradley told jurors Thursday.
Mellie’s defense team went to great lengths to find holes in the state’s case.
“I’m suggesting to you guys that we have reasonable doubt, based on the evidence presented, that there is a conflict in the evidence and that the evidence is insufficient,” defense attorney Stuart Adelstein said.
But the state is confident that they proved Mellie’s guilt.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to ask you to serve justice, to deliberate and to reach a guilty verdict on a charge of first-degree murder,” Bradley said.
If the jury finds Demon guilty, he could be sentenced to death or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Mellie had her breakthrough in 2017 and went on to work with Kanye West on Mixed Personalities, which was released in January 2019, a month before the Demons were arrested on murder charges.
INTERACTIVE GRAPHICS
TRIAL TERMS
First week of trial: opening statements were June 12.
Second week of trial: Prosecution witnesses continue to testify
Third Week of Trial: Testimony Continues
court in recess
Fourth week of trial: testimony continues
Fifth week of the trial: rest of the state and defense
Copyright 2023 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
