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Judge Dismisses YNW Melly’s Jail-Conditions Petition as He Moves to Replace Defense Team

The decision highlights a stalled path to a retrial scheduled for 2027.

Rapper YNW Melly reacts during a court appearance on Friday March 7, 2025 for his upcoming double murder retrial. The rapper, whose real name is Jamell Demons, is accused of murdering two of his childhood friends, Chris “YNW Juvy” Thomas and Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams, in 2018. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
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Overview

  • U.S. Magistrate Judge Melissa Damian dismissed Melly’s federal habeas filing without prejudice, directing him to exhaust state remedies before seeking federal relief.
  • Melly’s 2024 complaint alleged isolation at Broward County Jail and limits on attorney access, describing the conditions as shocking and degrading.
  • A new motion asks to swap in attorneys Drew Findling and Carrie Haughwout after prosecutors disclosed a criminal investigation involving an outgoing defense lawyer.
  • The filing cites Apple data turned over to the Broward Sheriff’s Office in 2023 under a warrant and says prosecutors withheld details about the probe of attorney Raven Liberty.
  • The retrial is set for January 2027 following a 2023 mistrial, while co-defendant Cortlen “YNW Bortlen” Henry is scheduled to go on trial next month.