Deadline Looms: YNW Melly Must Choose—Will He Dump His Attorney Amid Explosive BSO Probe?

Rapper YNW Melly was back in court Tuesday with his primary defense lawyer, who is being investigated by the Broward Sheriff’s Office, in connection with his impending double murder retrial. The judge in Melly’s double murder case given him a deadline to determine whether he wants new attorneys during the hearing on Tuesday. The defense seeks as much information as possible regarding the BSO’s inquiry into lawyer Ravon Liberty. The state has up to now kept quiet about the nature of the probe.

After realizing that Liberty is the subject of a BSO investigation, Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, whispered with her in court for the first time. The defense is worried about whether Demons may view the investigation as a conflict of interest for Liberty and want to bring in fresh legal representation. Given that Demons’ case involves capital murder, it’s a significant ruling. He is accused of killing two close pals in 2018. He might be executed if found guilty.

To ensure Demons understood the seriousness of the issue, the judge addressed him directly. “On September 10th, your case will go to trial. You realize that’s not that far away? On September 10th, your case will proceed to trial,” Judge Martin Fein stated.

“If you change lawyers, you’re going to have a group of lawyers in place that are going to have like seven months to prepare a capital case.” Fein was determined not to postpone Demons’ retrial. In July 2023, Demons’ first double murder trial ended in a mistrial. Demons was given until February 18th by the judge to choose whether he wanted to switch lawyers.