YNW Melly murder retrial to start Sept. 10, ready or not
Broward Circuit Judge Martin Fein showed little patience for the state's insistence that the matters being considered by the Fourth District Court of Appeal leave him with no choice but to delay the trial, which was first put on hold during jury selection in October 2023.
Demons, 26, was the most prominent member of the YNW rap collective, with a string of hits including 'Suicidal' and 'Murder on My Mind.' He is accused of the October 2018 murders of fellow rappers and childhood friends Anthony 'YNW Sakchaser' Williams and Christopher 'YNW Juvy' Thomas. A co-defendant, Cortlen 'YNW Bortlen' Henry, is also awaiting trial.
Investigators and prosecutors say the four rappers attended a late-night recording session in Fort Lauderdale and left together in a Jeep driven by Henry. A short time later, Henry pulled up to Memorial Hospital Miramar with Williams, 21, and Thomas, 19, shot to death in the front and rear passenger seats.
Henry told police they were victims of a drive-by shooter. Investigators poring over phone records, witness testimony and video from the Fort Lauderdale recording studio determined that Demons, who had been sitting behind Henry, shot and killed his two former friends before they had a chance to fight back.
Demons could face the death penalty if convicted.
Henry was charged with murder as a principal and with being an accessory after the fact. Detectives said he helped Demons make it look like a drive-by, though medical experts said the fatal shots came from inside the Jeep, from the seat last known to be occupied by Demons (who was seen getting into the vehicle on surveillance video from outside the recording studio).
Defense lawyers said Demons got out of the Jeep before the shooting and challenged the forensic medical testimony.
Demons' first trial ended with a hung jury in July 2023.
Since then, the original judge on his case ruled that prosecutors would not be able to re-use some of the technological evidence that they presented to help establish Demons' alleged motives, gang affiliation and consciousness of guilt. The appeals court has yet to rule on whether that restriction will stand, among other issues.
According to appeals court records, the case is set for oral arguments on Sept. 16.
At the same time, the defense has accused the Broward State Attorney's Office of prosecutorial misconduct and has repeatedly tried to get them thrown off the case. The state later charged Demons with witness tampering at his first trial. One of his lawyers, Raven Liberty, remains under investigation herself, though no charges have been filed against her.
Criminal charges against Liberty would create a conflict of interest that would likely force her off the case. Prosecutor Justin Griffis told Fein Wednesday that the investigation into her conduct is ongoing.
In court on Wednesday, Fein said the issues in front of the appeals court are not enough reason to delay the retrial. Prosecutors have not yet indicated whether they will appeal Fein's decision.
Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457.
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