YNW Melly is in prison awaiting retrial on two counts of first-degree murder in Broward County, Florida. His first trial ended in a hung jury in July 2023, and a retrial is scheduled for January 2027. He has been held in Broward County Jail since his arrest in 2019, making him one of the longest-detained rap artists in the US awaiting trial.
Who Is YNW Melly?
YNW Melly, born Jamell Maurice Demons on May 1, 1999, in Gifford, Florida, is an American rapper and singer known for his melodic style and emotionally driven music. He gained national recognition with the song “Murder on My Mind” and went on to release chart-topping tracks including “Mixed Personalities” featuring Kanye West. His debut album I Am You was released in 2018 and cemented his status as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary hip-hop. His career was interrupted by his arrest in February 2019 on double murder charges, and he has remained in custody since.
What Is YNW Melly Accused Of?
YNW Melly is accused of murdering two of his close friends and fellow rappers, Anthony Williams (YNW Sakchaser) and Christopher Thomas Jr. (YNW Juvy), on October 26, 2018, in Miramar, Florida. Prosecutors allege that Melly and an accomplice, Cortlen Henry (YNW Bortlen), shot the two men in a car and then staged the scene to make it appear as though they had been the victims of a drive-by shooting. The case attracted national attention because of the defendants’ prominent profiles in the music industry and the alleged nature of the crime — that Melly had killed two of his closest friends and collaborators.
The First Trial: Hung Jury
YNW Melly’s first trial on two counts of premeditated first-degree murder began in June 2023 in Broward County, Florida. Prosecutors sought the death penalty, making the case one of the highest-stakes criminal trials in the Florida rap scene. The trial lasted several weeks and included extensive forensic evidence, phone data, and testimony from investigators. The jury deliberated but ultimately could not reach a unanimous verdict on either count of murder. In July 2023, Judge John Murphy declared a mistrial after the jury reported it was hopelessly deadlocked. Prosecutors announced they intended to retry the case.
Retrial Schedule and Current Status
A retrial for YNW Melly on both murder counts has been scheduled for January 2027. As of March 2026, Melly remains held at Broward County Main Jail in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he has been detained since his arrest in 2019. Prosecutors have confirmed they will again seek the death penalty. His defense team has continued to maintain his innocence. The lengthy pretrial detention — now exceeding six years — has been a source of criticism from his supporters, though his bail requests have consistently been denied by the court given the severity of the charges and the nature of the alleged offenses. For more on how capital cases work in the US justice system, see our article on death row in the USA.
Other Charges and Legal Developments
In addition to the murder charges, YNW Melly faced separate federal charges related to alleged possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and other counts. However, in a notable development in 2025, the federal tampering charges that had been filed against him were dropped by prosecutors. This reduced his legal exposure outside of the state murder case but did not affect the primary double murder prosecution. His co-defendant, Cortlen Henry (YNW Bortlen), is facing a separate trial. Melly has continued to release music from jail through pre-recorded material managed by his team, including the well-received project Just a Matter of Slime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is YNW Melly still in prison in 2026?
Yes. YNW Melly is still in jail in 2026, held at Broward County Main Jail in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is awaiting retrial on two counts of first-degree murder scheduled for January 2027. He has been detained since his arrest in February 2019.
What did YNW Melly do?
YNW Melly is accused of murdering two of his close friends and fellow rappers, YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy, in October 2018 in Miramar, Florida. Prosecutors allege he and an accomplice shot the victims and staged the scene to look like a drive-by shooting.
Why did YNW Melly’s first trial end?
YNW Melly’s first trial ended in July 2023 when the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on either murder count. Judge John Murphy declared a mistrial after the jury reported being hopelessly deadlocked. Prosecutors subsequently announced they would retry the case.
When is YNW Melly’s retrial?
YNW Melly’s retrial on two counts of first-degree murder is scheduled for January 2027 in Broward County, Florida. Prosecutors have stated they will again seek the death penalty.
Could YNW Melly get the death penalty?
Yes. Prosecutors in Broward County, Florida have sought the death penalty against YNW Melly in both the original trial and the upcoming retrial. Florida is a death penalty state, and the prosecution has maintained from the outset that the severity of the alleged premeditated double murder warrants the ultimate sentence.