YNW Melly’s Ex-Girlfriend Released from Jail Ahead of Retrial

South Florida rapper YNW Melly, born Jamell Demons, appeared in court Friday as his ex-girlfriend, Mariah Hamilton, fought for her release from jail. A key witness in his upcoming double murder retrial, Hamilton had been jailed for civil contempt after failing to testify in his first trial, which ended in a mistrial in 2023.

Hamilton had ignored a judge’s order to appear in court, and authorities only acted on her arrest warrant after she left the country. On Friday, Judge Martin S. Fein ruled she could be released but must wear an ankle monitor.

YNW Melly is accused of murdering friends Christopher Thomas Jr. and Anthony Williams in 2018. His retrial comes amid additional charges of witness tampering, with prosecutors alleging he and co-defendant Cortlen Henry tried to silence witnesses.

Earlier Friday, Melly’s defense team clashed with Judge Fein over an investigation into his lead attorney by the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Despite legal battles surrounding both Melly and Hamilton, the rapper’s high-profile case is set to move forward.