Judge Urges YNW Melly to Decide on Legal Defense as Attorney Faces Tampering Allegations Ahead of Retrial [Video]

The YNW Melly trial continues to drag on, with a judge now asking the rapper to make some decisions regarding his legal defense.

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Facing a retrial for the alleged 2018 murders of his friends Chris “YNW Juvy” Thomas and Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams, the 25-year-old Florida artist must decide whether to retain his current legal team.

On Tuesday, January 7th, Broward Circuit Judge Martin Fein placed Melly under oath to address his legal situation during the second day of a two-day “all pending motions” hearing, designed to resolve outstanding problems delaying the trial. Despite ongoing complications, the retrial is scheduled for September, with another hearing set for February 8th.

Adding to the uncertainty, lead defense attorney Raven Liberty is under investigation for alleged tampering. The defense team has requested time to review these allegations, but Judge Fein emphasized the gravity of the situation.

“At some point, you’re going to need to decide who you want your lawyers to be,” Fein told the “Murder On My Mind” performer. The judge stressed that switching lawyers could limit preparation time for the capital case, which carries a possible death penalty.

“Your case is set for trial September 10th. That’s not that far away, you understand that?” the judge asked Melly.

Meanwhile, he has filed a lawsuit against the Broward Sheriff’s Office, alleging “cruel” treatment and violations of his constitutional rights during incarceration.

“His cruel treatment… warrants his immediate release,” the lawsuit claims.

Prosecutors allege Melly staged the murders as a drive-by shooting. The trial first ended in a mistrial in July 2023, though he was not released. Instead, there was an immediate push for a retrial.