Jury ‘Deadlocked’ in YNW Melly’s Murder Trial
Friday, July 21, 2023, 4:43 PM GMT-5
Rapper Jamell Demons who is more commonly known as YNW Melly received two first-degree murder charges for the killings of two of his longtime friends 21-year-old Anthony Williams and 19-year-old Christopher Thomas in Miramar.
Both the prosecution and the defence gave a closing argument on Thursday, July 20, as a result, the jurors began deliberating after. Court proceedings began at about 8:30 am on Friday. Deliberations continued for hours and even paused to ask a question about “call logs” to the court, more questions were also asked throughout the day.
About five hours into deliberations it was understood that the jury was at a ‘deadlock’, as in all members were unable to agree on a single verdict. A message from the jury asked, “What if we can’t come to a decision? Everyone is stuck on which side they’ve chosen.”
Friday ended without a verdict.
The Jury will return to court for deliberations tomorrow, Saturday, July 22.
Last Monday, following multiple delays in the case, the state presented text messages allegedly sent by YNW Melly saying, “I did that,” alongside a smiling emoji. On the other hand, the defence argued that Melly usual way of saying the word “that” is actually “dat”.
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YNW MElly’s trial has been going on for over a month now, it began on June 12, 2023.
YNW Melly who is now 24 years old earlier pleaded not guilty to the murders. He faces a possible death sentence if convicted. Both victims were killed on Oct. 26, 2018, in Miramar, Florida.
Demons, Williams, Cortland Henry and Thomas were said to be in a vehicle after leaving a recording studio in Fort Lauderdale when Demons shot and killed Williams and Thomas, according to prosecutors.
Henry who is believed to be the driver was charged as an accomplice in the murders but will be tried separately.
Prosecutors detailed that Demons and Henry staged a drive-by shooting shortly after Demons Killed the victims in the car.
RELATED: YNW Melly Jokes in Court, Judge Denies Motion for Mistrial in Murder Case; Juror Hospitalized
