YNW Melly Denied Bond Ahead of Double Murder Re-Trial

Rapper YNW Melly, born Jamell Demons, will remain in custody until his double murder re-trial begins in September, a Broward judge ruled Monday.

Demons’ legal team had filed a motion for pre-trial release in March, alleging mistreatment by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, including limited access to family and one of his attorneys. The judge, however, denied the request — the third such denial since Demons’ 2019 arrest.

Demons is accused of fatally shooting two fellow members of the YNW music collective — Christopher Thomas Jr. and Anthony Williams — in October 2018. His first trial ended in a mistrial in July 2023 after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict.

Facing two counts of capital murder, Demons could receive the death penalty if convicted. While pre-trial bond is rare in capital cases, his attorneys proposed a strict house arrest arrangement, including GPS monitoring and 24/7 private security.

Prosecutors opposed the motion, citing serious charges, a pending witness tampering case, and evidence including ballistic tests and cell phone data placing Demons at the scene.

Demons has now spent over 2,200 days in jail. The upcoming re-trial could determine not only his guilt but whether he spends the rest of his life in prison — or faces a possible death sentence.