Rapper YNW Melly faces death penalty for murdering two best pals in cold blood then ‘trying to make killings look like a random drive-by’
RAPPER YNW Melly is facing the death penalty over the double murder of two of his best friends who were gunned down in Florida.
Prosecutors intend to seek capital punishment for the musician, who is also accused of trying to make the killings look like random drive-by shootings.
The 19-year-old – whose real name is Jamell Demons – is charged with two counts of first degree murder over the October 2018 deaths of Christopher Thomas Jr, 19, and Anthony Williams, 21.
According to legal documents, the state of Florida says it believes it can prove beyond reasonable doubt that Melly killed his friends for “financial gain”, reports CNN.
Prosecutors also state that the murders were “especially heinous, atrocious or cruel” and that he “committed homicide in a cold, calculated and premeditated manner”.
Police arrested YNW Melly and another man, Cortlen Henry, in February, charging them with two counts of murder.
Cops said YNW Melly fatally shot his friends and then staged the crime scene to look like a drive-by shooting.
BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT
The rapper’s album “We All Shine” was released in January and featured the hit song “Mixed Personalities” with Kanye West.
On October 26, 2018, Henry drove both victims to the Memorial Miramar Hospital, it’s alleged.
They had multiple gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival.
Henry gave a statement but the facts from initial investigations did not match those presented to detectives, police said.
Further investigation and forensic evidence found that YNW Melly shot and killed Williams and Thomas, and that YNW Melly and Henry then staged the scene to resemble a drive-by shooting, it’s claimed.
‘COLD AND CALCULATED’
Thomas went by the stage name YNW Juvy, while Williams was known as YNW Sakchaser.
They were both pursuing rap careers.
After their deaths, Demons paid tribute to the two youths by tweeting: “They took my brothers from me over jealousy.”
He said the pair’s killers “want to see me break down and stop or in jail or a box.”
But on Instagram he posted that he was “turning myself in”.
A couple of months ago I lost my two brothers by violence and now the system want[s] to find justice
YNW Melly
Demons said: “To all my fans and supporters no I did not get locked up in Washington, but I am turning myself in today.
“I want you guys to know I love you and appreciate every single one of y’all.
“A couple of months ago I lost my two brothers by violence and now the system want to find justice [sic].
“Unfortunately a lot of rumours and lies are being said but no worries god is with me… I love you.”
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In February, the rapper took to Instagram again, saying he was turning himself in to police and referred to “rumors and lies” about him.
“I want you guys to know I love you and appreciate every single one of y’all,” he wrote. “[A] couple months ago I lost my two brothers by violence and now the system want to find justice.. unfortunately a lot of rumors and lies are being said but no worries god is with me and my brother.”
The Instagram caption ended with a hashtag: “#freeus”.
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