While the trial for YNW Melly’s murder case has not begun, some confused fans are asking if he was released from jail on June 5.
The rapper could face a possible death penalty for allegedly killing two of his crew members if convicted. His mother, Jamie Demons-King had mentioned June 5 as the beginning date for the trial in one of her latest Instagram posts, which could have perhaps led to the assumption that YNW Melly has won his case.
We understand the terms surrounding the legality of the case can be confusing. So, we have explained in detail everything you need to know about Melly’s trial in 2023.
Did YNW Melly get released on June 5, 2023?
No, Melly didn’t get released from jail on June 5, 2023. In fact, even the trial which was initially expected to begin on Monday, has reportedly been pushed to the third week of June.
His mother claimed in her Instagram post that the jury selection was underway and the trial would only begin once the jurors are finalized.
There are also several other rumors flying around, regarding the rapper possibly facing the death penalty. Some sick trolls even went on to claim Melly was dead.
While there’s no reason to believe any of the unproven claims, the rapper remains locked in the Broward County Jail in Florida.
What you need to know about the death penalty
One of the judges involved in Melly’s case made the juror’s decision easy by allowing them to follow the new statute, which abides by the 8-4 votes for the motion for the death penalty to pass.
As per the bill signed by its Governor Ron DeSantis in May 2023, the jurors do not have to reach a unanimous decision to allow capital punishment for criminals unlike before.
The new bill was signed following a Florida jury’s decision to sentence the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter to life when the votes stood at 9 to 3 in favor of the death penalty.
This means Melly could face the death penalty even if four out of the twelve jurors vote against it.
The rapper isn’t under a house arrest
Another rumor going around claims Melly is under house arrest ahead of the trial, but there’s no truth to it, although fans hope it comes true.
He was arrested in 2019 and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, after the death of the victims, Christopher Thomas Jr and Anthony Williams. The deceased men also belonged to the same crew in Florida.
Melly pleaded not guilty for the crimes he was accused of and his bond was denied. The motion for the death penalty by State Prosecutors was also dropped eventually, only to be proposed again after a few months in 2022 with the support of the victim’s families.
