On Monday, the double murder trial of YNW Melly got underway, and prosecutors are convinced they have a confession directly from the rapper.
During day one of the trial, prosecutor Kristine Bradley says the 24-year-old bragged about killing his friends YNW Juvy and YNW Sakchaser, whose real names are Chris Thomas and Anthony Williams. Bradley says Melly shot both men inside a car, and his friend YNW Bortlen drove the deceased men to the hospital, claiming they’d been the victims of a drive-by shooting. Bradley alleges once Melly’s supporters began messaging him on Instagram to check on him after news spread of the supposed drive-by, the “Murder On My Mind” artist couldn’t resist the urge to brag about his crimes.
“I did that. Shh,” he is accused of responding to one user reaching out to ensure Melly was okay. The prosecutor explains this after the 25:00min mark.
Melly’s attorney David A. Howard fired back at the prosecution and claimed that law enforcement had been unable to identify a reason for the shootings. Though the state of Florida does not require motive to convict someone, Howard asked the jurors to explore why a young man would kill his childhood friends for virtually no reason while building a blossoming music career.
Thomas and Williams were both shot multiple times. Detectives observed eight bullet holes on the right side of the vehicle. YNW Bortlen, whose real name is Cortlen Henry, claims he was able to escape the shooting unscathed. Police are also basing much of the case on a shell casing inside the vehicle, which matched an identical one found at another location they believe Melly and Henry used to stage the drive-by.
Melly and his family have long proclaimed his innocence. Other rappers have also shown their support for Melly since his incarceration in 2019. Boosie was present during the trial’s opening day, which could end in Melly receiving the death penalty. He has continuously maintained his innocence.
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