As the murder case of YNW Melly trucks along, prosecutors have been granted a motion to photograph the rapper’s tattoos.
The pictures will be used to prove that Melly is an active gang member. The court initially denied the request because it “pertained only to the penalty phase of the trial.” However, the alleged affiliation is now said to be relevant “at the guilt phase,” giving the prosecution the greenlight.
Melly’s defense attorney, David A. Howard said that reports of the photographs being taken are “half right.” He explained that while the judge has decided to allow the tattoos to be documented, it has not yet been determined if they will be permitted as evidence, though it is likely if the body ink supports the state’s claims.
In addition to the tattoos, the prosecution had attempted to use lyrics from Melly’s single, “Murder On My Mind,” to prove that he was capable of the murder, despite the record being released 18 months before his alleged killing spree occurred.
Prosecutors are trying to prove that Melly’s alleged gang affiliation was the motive behind the killing of his friends Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas Jr. and Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams in 2018. He allegedly staged their murders to look like a drive-by after riding around with their bodies for hours. The 22-year-old has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He faces the death penalty if convicted.
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