Jamell Demons, popularly known as YNW Melly, was arrested in relation to the fatal shooting of two individuals.
July 22 (UPI) — A mistrial was declared on Saturday in the murder trial of rapper YNW Melly after the jury failed to reach a unanimous decision even after three days of deliberations.
The musician, legally known as Jamell Demons, was taken into custody in February 2019 for his alleged involvement in the October 2018 killing of Anthony Williams, aged 21, and Christopher Thomas, Jr., aged 19.
YNW Melly, who was 19 years old at the time, faced charges of first-degree murder for the double homicide, as well as for attempting to conceal the crime scene. Williams and Thomas were also aspiring rappers and close friends of YNW Melly within the YNW collective.
Upon hearing that the jury was deadlocked, the now 24-year-old rapper maintained a stoic expression in court, concealing a smile when the verdict was announced, according to the Miami Herald.
“We are still unable to reach a unanimous decision,” the jury wrote to Broward Circuit Court Judge John Murphy. Earlier in the day, the jurors had requested to review some of the evidence but remained deadlocked, as reported by WTVJ.
On the second day of deliberations, the jury had asked Judge Murphy about their options in the event of a deadlock and was encouraged to continue deliberating.
“We appreciate the fact that you were here and ready to serve,” Judge Murphy stated on Friday.
YNW Melly had pleaded not guilty to the charges he faced. His case is significant as it is one of the first to be considered after a Florida law was passed, reducing the requirement for a unanimous vote to impose a death sentence from the jury to a vote of 8-4.
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