FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A tampering with a witness charge has been dropped against rapper YNW Melly, who has been jailed in South Florida since his arrest in connection with the homicides of his two friends.
State attorneys dropped the witness tampering charge Tuesday, but the Broward County State Attorney’s Office confirmed they are proceeding with the homicide case.
Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, is scheduled to be re-tried in that case in January 2027.
Melly is accused of murdering Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas and Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams -- both childhood friends -- back in October 2018 after a late-night recording session and then allegedly made it look like a drive-by shooting.
Melly’s co-defendant, Cortland “Bortland” Henry, is accused of driving the Jeep Compass the duo were killed in and helping to cover up the murders.
Melly’s first trial ended in a mistrial in 2023 after the 12-member panel could not reach a unanimous verdict after three days of deliberations.
The trial consisted of many twists and turns that included allegations of witness tampering, passing messages in jail and alleged plans to escape.
The Broward County State Attorney’s Office is expected to release a memo Tuesday, explaining their decision to drop the tampering with a witness charge.
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