The double-murder trial for rapper YNW Melly has been postponed. The trial was scheduled for September, but Florida‘s 4th District Court of Appeals has now decided to delay the case until January 2027, NBC Miami reported.
YNW Melly, legally known as Jamell Demons, is facing charges after allegedly shooting and killing two of his friends, Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams and Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas Jr., in 2018.
How long has YNW Melly been in custody?
The rapper, who has been in custody since 2019, faces the possibility of the death penalty if found guilty.
The jury failed to reach a verdict for YNW Melly’s first trial in 2023, resulting in a mistrial. The 2023 trial was initially scheduled for 2022, but it was delayed due to a dispute over whether or not Melly could face the death penalty.
According to Billboard, prosecutors said Melly killed Williams and Thomas after the group completed a recording session in Fort Lauderdale, Fla, in October 2018. Rapper YNW Bortlen also faces charges as YNW Melly’s associate. Prosecutors said Bortlen tried to cover up the murder by faking a drive-by shooting; Bortlen will face a separate trial.
Why is the trial for YNW Melly delayed to 2027?
Per Billboard, Judge Martin S. Fein postponed the rapper’s trial after prosecutors, as well as Melly’s defense, appealed for a delay until more evidence is presented to make their arguments. Although both sides asked for the delay, YNW Melly’s team is disappointed with how far back the trial is pushed.
“We’re disappointed that today’s hearing was yet another win for the State of Florida, allowing more time to subject my client to inhumane treatment,” attorney Raven Liberty told Billboard. “Every American should be concerned about this abuse of the justice system and basic Constitutional rights.”
After the 2023 trial was set for re-trial, Judge Martin S. Fein urged prosecutors to make sure they avoid any further postponements: “Mr. Demons has now been in custody for 2,202 days, and if one state attorney is not available, maybe one of the other two assigned to this case can stand in, and if all three are not available, maybe one of the 150 state attorneys upstairs might sit in,” Judge Fein said earlier in 2025, according to NBC 6 Miami.
Fein denied both sides when they asked to delay the September trial, but the two parties then sent their request to Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal.
“Simply, without a stay, the state loses its ability to prosecute a serious case on its full merits,” prosecutors told the appeals court, per Billboard. “This error cannot be corrected once it is inflicted.”
Melly’s defense also urged for a fair trial for the rapper.
“Appellee’s due process rights will obviously be violated and he will be denied a fair trial if he is not afforded an opportunity to complete discovery,” the team argued, per Billboard.
