Rapper YNW Melly is on trial for the October 2018 murders of two childhood friends and fellow rappers, Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr., better known as YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy, respectively.
The murder trial began in Florida on June 12, and the rapper has been detained since his arrest in 2019.
Prosecutors claimed Williams, Thomas, and YNW Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, were traveling in a Jeep driven by Cortland Henry, also known as YNW Bortlen, following a recording session in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., when YNW Melly fatally shot Williams and Thomas.
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Henry has been accused as an accomplice in the case, but he will stand trial separately.
If found guilty, YNW Melly faces a possible death penalty, but new information reveals a strong defense in court.
YNW Melly’s DNA was not detected on the pistol or the jeep where the incident occurred, according to his defense’s legal discovery on June 27, the ninth day of the trial.
The only DNA that was discovered was just recently discovered on the door handle of the automobile, which would have been more valuable if it had been discovered on the night of the occurrence. YNW Melly’s counsel has also claimed that there was no gunshot residue on the rapper.
Prosecutors have now attempted to allege that the shooting was part of a gang activity, saying YNW Melly is associated with the Blood gang.
However, the rapper’s defense counsel contends the motivation is untrustworthy.
#YNWMellyTrial: Dr. Sauder says the heart was not beating when gunshot wound R was inflicted. #ynwmelly #melly
— Bryson “Boom” Paul (@brysonboompaul) June 27, 2023
YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy were killed in a drive-by, and YNW Melly is the only survivor, according to the rapper’s legal team, but prosecutors say that despite the lack of gunshot residue and single DNA found on YNW Melly, it is likely that the rapper in question staged the drive-by because examiners discovered the victims were shot at close range.
Dr. Rebecca MacDougall testified before a Florida jury that YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy died from numerous gunshot wounds inside the car.
MacDougall performed the autopsy of YNW Sakchaser and oversaw the examination of YNW Juvy by her assistant Adrienne Sauder.
“They are already deceased when the other [wounds] are inflicted,” MacDougall said.
In her testimony, MacDougall recognized the shot that killed YNW Sakchaser. He was dead by the time he arrived at a nearby hospital, she recalled.
Thomas was shot in the head, at close range on the face, from the left in the “middle of his cheek,” and “part of the wound had an abrasion ring on it,” Sgt. Williams said about the entrance wound. He also cited the “tattoo of the stippling” as evidence.
