Judge has declared a mistrial in YNW Melly double murder case

After 19 days of arguing, Judge John Murphy declared a mistrial after the jury failed to reach a unanimous decision regarding YNW Melly’s double murder allegations.

Jamell Demons, whose stage name is YNW Mellyis faces two counts of first degree murder in the October 26, 2018 murders of Anthony Williams, 21, and Christopher Thomas, 19, in Miramar.

Closing arguments concluded Thursday and the case was handed over to the Broward jury, who spent two full days deliberating the outcome of this case. The trial began last month.

The jury asked the state and the judge if they could review some of the evidence again, but after a few hours and a lunch break, the jury was unable to come to a decision, forcing the judge to order a mistrial.

Demons, now 24, has pleaded not guilty and faces a possible death sentence if convicted.

Demons, Williams and Thomas were riding in a jeep driven by Cortland Henry, known as YNW Bortlen, after a recording session in Fort Lauderdale when Demons fatally shot Williams and Thomas, prosecutors said. Henry is charged as an accessory in the case, but will be tried separately.

Authorities said Demons and Henry staged the crime scene to make it look like a drive-by shooting.

Prosecutors say the shooting was part of a gang action, while defense attorneys say the motive lacks credibility because Demons and the victims were close friends.

The defense insisted that Demons was sleeping at home at the time of the murders, and claimed that Henry is responsible.

Thomas went by the name YNW Juvy while Williams was known as YNW Sakchaser. They were childhood friends of Demons and part of the YNW collective.