YNW Melly, real name Jamell Demons, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the 2018 shooting deaths of fellow rappers Anthony Williams, 21, and Christopher Thomas Jr., 19. Williams was known as YNW Sakchaser, Thomas as YNW Juvy. Both were gunned down in Miramar in an incident that prosecutors say was staged to look like a drive-by shooting.
Demons has been awaiting 4 years for a trial date and YNW Melly‘s fate is soon to be determined.
On June 2nd, Judge John Murphy sided with prosecutors’ motion to allow the 8-4 vote pertaining to the death penalty in this case.
The “8-4 Vote” allows Florida prosecutors trying capital felony cases would need to convince only two-thirds of the 12-member jury that someone who is convicted deserves the death penalty, rather than a unanimous decision by a jury.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has pushed for the legislation and said he was “very disappointed” after a jury could not come to a unanimous decision on giving a death sentence to Nikolas Cruz. Cruz killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland in 2018.
Now what does this mean for the “Murder On My Mind” rapper ? It means the death penalty is still on the table and instead of the previous 9-3 vote rule, they are enforcing the 8-4. Which is not good news for YNW Melly and his defense team. Out of all states that still honor the death penalty, Florida holds the title for lowest threshold with the 8-4 vote.
We will continue to keep you updated on the case. Praying for all parties involved.
Thoughts?
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