YNW Melly Pleads Not Guilty In Murder Case

Rapper YNW Melly has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder.

Last month, 19-year-old Melly, whose legal name is Jamell Maurice Demons, was arrested for allegedly killing two of his friends in what police believe was a staged drive-by shooting. According to police, Melly, and his comrade Cortlen ”YNW Bortlen” Henry -who was also arrested in connection to the crimes – are responsible for the murders of Anthony Williams, 21, and Christopher Thomas Jr., 19, last year in Florida. 

On Oct. 26, around 4:35 a.m., Henry showed up to Memorial Hospital Miramar with the two bodies in the car. Though Henry told police Williams and Thomas were shot multiple times in an alleged drive-by, investigators found new evidence that contradicted Henry’s story. In fact, court documents showed the gunshots were made from inside the car, and a .40 caliber shell casing was also reportedly found inside the vehicle, Complex Media reports. 

Additionally, police uncovered messages between Henry and Melly over Snapchat that seemed to prove the two were involved in the murders. “Dis nigga (Henry) saved my life he coming everywhere wit me cuz of dem crackers come grab him it’s my fault u forgot?” he wrote to his then-girlfriend just weeks after the shootings. “I keep Bortlen wit me kuz at da end of the day he did one of a realist shit in my life.”

Melly and Henry are currently jailed at Broward County Jail as they await trial. If convicted, Melly could face a death sentence.