YNW Melly appeared in a Broward County courtroom Tuesday as his legal team renewed their push for pretrial release.
The Florida rapper, born Jamell Demons, has remained in jail without bond since his 2019 arrest. He’s facing a retrial on two counts of first-degree murder in the 2018 killings of YNW collaborators Christopher Thomas Jr. and Anthony Williams.
Defense attorney Raven Liberty argued that Melly’s six-year detention—over 2,000 days—merits reconsideration, especially after his 2023 trial ended in a mistrial. In March, his team filed a motion claiming he’d been denied communication with family and legal counsel while in custody.
Liberty proposed strict terms: house arrest, 24-hour private security, and GPS monitoring, with oversight shared between the court and law enforcement. His label, she added, is prepared to post bond.
Prosecutors pushed back. Assistant State Attorney Justin Griffiths cited ballistic evidence and phone data placing Melly at the crime scene. He also pointed to a pending witness tampering case, arguing that Melly remains a threat to public safety and the judicial process.
The family of Anthony Williams opposed YNW Melly’s release. A representative addressed Judge Martin Fein directly, urging him to deny bond under any circumstances.
Inside the courtroom, every seat was filled by the rapper’s family and supporters. His mother, Jamie Demons-King, expressed hope after years of separation.
“We’re praying he comes home,” she said. “Six years with no visits, no calls. The courtroom is the only place I see him, and we can’t speak.”
This marks another attempt by Melly’s legal team to secure bond—none have succeeded. His lawyers hope the previous mistrial shows reasonable doubt. The judge’s decision is expected soon.
Melly’s retrial is scheduled for September 10. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
