YNW Melly will no longer face trial for witness tampering as prosecutors have decided to dismiss the charges.
The Florida rapper was originally set to go to trial on January 21. However, during a hearing on Tuesday (January 20), prosecutors opted to drop the case.
Melly’s legal team, consisting of attorneys Drew Findling and Carol Haughwout, issued a statement to XXL addressing the latest development in his case.
Representing Jamell Demons, the attorneys expressed their relief over the dismissal of the witness tampering and gang-related charges in court that morning, stating it was clear no crimes had been committed. They further criticized the prolonged duration — 652 days — that the charges remained pending before prosecutors reached their decision just before the trial.
“On behalf of Jamell Demons, we welcome the dismissal of the alleged tampering and gang-related charges in court this morning,” the statement reads. “As his newly retained legal team, it became immediately apparent to us that no crimes had occurred. Unfortunately, for 652 days while these charges were pending, the State did not reach the same conclusion until the cusp of trial.”
The statement also highlighted their intent to push for Melly’s release from custody, where he has reportedly been held under severely restrictive conditions. The attorneys stated Melly’s release would ensure he can actively participate in preparing his defense for upcoming proceedings, which they plan to handle with determination.
“We now look forward to seeking Mr. Demons’ release from custody, where he has been held under extraordinarily restrictive conditions for far too long based on premises the State has now abandoned. His release will allow him to fully and meaningfully participate in preparing his defense in the forthcoming proceedings, which we intend to litigate vigorously.”
The rapper has been incarcerated since 2019 following his arrest on double murder charges tied to the deaths of his childhood friends Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas and Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams, who were killed in October 2018. Melly’s first trial ended in a mistrial in 2023, but prosecutors resolved to retry the case.
In October 2023, Melly faced additional charges for witness tampering, with allegations that he persuaded his ex-girlfriend, Mariah Hamilton, and her mother, Felicia Holmes, not to testify during his initial trial.
His retrial for the double murder case is now set to take place in January 2027.
