The trial for rapper YNW Melly, whose real name is Jamel Demons, is currently ongoing in Broward County. He is facing charges for the murder of his friends, Christopher Thomas Jr. and Anthony Williams, in October 2018.
Williams and Thomas were members of the YNW collective, known as YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy, respectively.
According to prosecutors, Demons, Williams, and Thomas were traveling in a Jeep driven by Cortland Henry, also known as YNW Bortlen, after a recording session in Fort Lauderdale when Demons fatally shot Williams and Thomas. Henry is charged as an accomplice in the case and will be tried separately.
Prosecutors allege that after killing Williams and Thomas, Demons and Henry took the bodies to an area near the Everglades, where they fired shots into the rear and passenger sides of Henry’s Jeep from the outside to make it appear as if Williams and Thomas were victims of a shooting.
Prosecutors claim that the shooting was part of a gang-related action, but defense attorneys argue that it lacks credibility since Demons and the victims were close friends.
“The overall picture places Mr. Demons in the backseat of that Jeep. It shows him holding a gun. You don’t need a murder weapon to know that he committed these two crimes,” said prosecutor Kristine Bradley to the jury on Thursday. YNW Melly’s defense team has been working diligently to poke holes in the state’s case.
“I suggest to you that we have a reasonable doubt about the evidence that has been presented, that there’s a conflict in the evidence, and there’s a lack of evidence,” said defense attorney Stuart Adelstein.
However, the state is confident that they have proven YNW Melly’s guilt.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I would ask that you serve justice, deliberate, and return a verdict of guilt as charged for first-degree murder,” said Bradley.
If the jury finds Demons guilty, he could face the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Source : Local10
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