YNW Melly Might be Released on Bail after 5 years Behind Bars

Rapper YNW Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, may be released from jail in December after spending nearly six years behind bars, pending the resolution of his double murder case. A Broward County judge has set a deadline for the Broward County Sheriff’s Office to explain why the rapper should not be freed on bond, after Melly filed a lawsuit against the department, accusing them of violating his constitutional rights.

The legal battle took a new turn on November 18, 2024, when Judge Melissa Damian ruled that the Sheriff’s Office must file a response by December 6, 2024, outlining why Melly should not be granted release on bail. If they fail to do so, the rapper could be granted bond until his next trial, which is slated for September 2025.

Should the Sheriff’s Office submit a response, Melly will have 14 days to counter their claims.

Melly’s legal team filed the lawsuit on November 2, accusing the Broward County Jail system of mistreating the rapper since his arrest in February 2019. The lawsuit alleges that Melly has been kept in “debilitating isolation,” unable to make phone calls for over three years, and denied meaningful family contact.

His attorney, Michael A. Pizzi, emphasized that these conditions violated Melly’s constitutional rights, including his right to family communication and proper legal representation.

Melly’s current incarceration stems from charges related to the 2018 murders of his friends and fellow “YNW” collective members, Christopher “Juvy” Thomas Jr. and Anthony “Sakchaser” Williams. The rapper is accused of shooting and killing the two men while they were in a Jeep together.

In July of 2023, the case ended in a mistrial after jurors could not reach a unanimous decision on the charges. A retrial is scheduled for September 2025.

According to xxlmag, the sheriff’s office has defended its actions, stating that Melly is not in solitary confinement, but rather in “administrative segregation” — a form of confinement used for inmates who pose a threat to others or the facility’s security. While they have not commented on the specific lawsuit, the office maintains that these measures are taken to ensure safety.

Melly’s potential release hinges on the sheriff’s office’s failure to present a sufficient legal argument by December 6. If the office does not respond by the deadline, Melly will likely be granted release on bail, possibly setting the stage for a dramatic new chapter in his ongoing legal battle.