Rapper YNW Melly Stands Trial for Second Week of Testimony

By Kristen Hernandez

The second week of trial for Jamell Demons, aka YNW Melly, continued with expert testimony presented by state prosecutors. Demons is accused of two counts of premeditated, first-degree homicide, as is co-defendant Cortland Henry, aka YNW Bortland, who will be tried separately once Demons’ concludes. If convicted, Demons and Henry both faces the death penalty. Testimony is expected to continue at least until the end of July. Here’s what we know so far regarding the state prosecutors’ case.

On October 26, 2018, prosecutors say Demons and his two childhood best friends, victims Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas, Jr., along with Henry, finished up a recording session at a Miramar recording studio. Video surveillance shows all four individuals enter a gray SUV. Henry was in the driver’s side, Demons got into the backseat of the driver’s side, Williams sat up front in the passenger seat and Thomas sat in the back passenger seat.

There is a full 103 minutes of time unaccounted for. Four people got in the vehicle and only three people arrived at Miramar Hospital emergency room, one hour and 43 minutes later: Henry, along with the two already deceased victims. Demons wasn’t there. At some point within that time frame, Demons exited the vehicle, although the prosecutor has yet to explain the missing time.

Florida state prosecutor’s weak circumstantial case ended up proving so far that Demons’ DNA was not found on any of the collected items sent to the DNA analysist. Henry and Demons both told homicide investigators their two friends were killed in a drive-by shooting.

The forensic evidence displayed so far indicates that shots were fired from inside the vehicle. A single shell casing was found under the front driver’s seat, where Henry was sitting. The state has a long way to go to prove Demons was involved at all. It is still early in the proceedings and true to Broward County, anything can still happen.