In a dramatic turn of events, a judge has declared a mistrial in the years-long double murder case involving rapper YNW Melly. The jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision, leading to the case’s dismissal.
The trial, one of the most high-profile hip-hop murder cases, accused YNW Melly and his co-defendant Cortlen (aka YNW Bortlen) Henry of killing their friends Christopher “Juvy” Thomas Jr. and Anthony “Sakchaser” Williams in South Florida in October 2018. The prosecution presented forensic evidence suggesting that Melly and Henry shot the victims in the back of a Jeep Compass and staged the scene to appear like a drive-by shooting.
After starting deliberations on Thursday following closing arguments, the jury deliberated extensively but ultimately could not reach a consensus. As a result, the judge declared a mistrial, leaving YNW Melly off the hook for now.
Prior to the trial, YNW Melly had been in custody since February 2019, awaiting the legal proceedings. Despite his incarceration, his music career flourished, with fans showing unwavering support by streaming his music consistently. During this time, he achieved 10 platinum and gold plaques, a significant accomplishment considering the gravity of the charges he faced, including the possibility of the death penalty.
While YNW Melly is currently a free man, there remains uncertainty regarding the future of the case. Prosecutors could choose to pursue a retrial, which means the rapper might face legal challenges once again. As of now, it’s unclear if the state intends to retry the case. The situation remains fluid, and further updates are awaited.
Follow “YNW Melly”
Written by:
Dana Sterling-Editor
