In a dramatic turn during one of the most high-profile hip-hop trials in recent memory, prosecutors in rapper YNW Melly’s double murder case rested their case on Monday after a week of intense delays and testimony. This pivotal moment hands the ball to the defense, who are set to call their first witnesses as early as Tuesday morning, potentially stretching the proceedings for another full week.
YNW Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, faces two counts of first-degree murder for the tragic deaths of his childhood friends and fellow YNW collective members, Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams and Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas Jr. The incident allegedly unfolded on October 26, 2018, following a late-night session at a Fort Lauderdale recording studio. Prosecutors claim Melly orchestrated a drive-by-style shooting as a cover-up, firing on the victims from inside their Jeep Compass.
The 24-year-old artist’s case has drawn extra scrutiny as one of the first to be tested under a new Florida law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, which lowers the threshold for a death sentence recommendation from a unanimous jury to an 8-4 vote. While Melly’s retrial remains postponed until January 2027 due to ongoing evidence disputes and appeals, this 2023 testimony recap highlights the core battles that could resurface.
The Phone Evidence: A Lingering Flashpoint
At the heart of the state’s closing arguments was Miramar Police Detective Mark Moretti, whose testimony – delayed last week due to an attorney’s illness – zeroed in on digital forensics. Moretti presented Instagram messages allegedly sent by Melly on the day of the shooting, including a chilling exchange with a contact known as “Peezy Gambino.”
The day before the incident, on October 25, 2018, the two discussed merchandise and an old iPhone. But the next day, as chaos unfolded, Peezy asked if Melly was okay. The response? “I did that. Shhhh.”
Moretti linked the phone to Melly by tying its number to his Facebook account and noting that search warrants showed no signs of co-defendant Cortlen “YNW Bortlen” Henry using Melly’s socials or device. Prosecutor Kristine Bradley methodically read through dozens of Instagram DMs to build the connection, even referencing Melly’s own track “Melly Fix That” to counter defense claims about his texting style.
The defense, led by Stuart Adelstein, fired back hard, arguing the phone was a shared “communal” device among Melly and his housemates – not exclusively his. Adelstein highlighted inconsistencies, like Melly’s habit of spelling “that” as “dat” in 19 pages of texts, calling it a “strange thing” that undermined the confession’s authenticity. Bradley rebutted by pulling up messages where Melly spelled it conventionally.
Earlier, prosecutors had flooded the court with hundreds of texts between Melly and his mother, Jamie King, from August to December 2018. These offered an intimate window into their bond – from her scolding him for skipping shows to heartfelt reassurances of love. But some exchanges turned profane, with Melly lashing out; the defense moved to exclude them, worried they’d sway jury mothers against him.
Moretti also detailed a broken-screen Android phone found in the Jeep’s rear passenger side, which proved “inoperable” – its SIM card unreadable, halting forensic extraction. Under Adelstein’s prodding, Moretti donned gloves to unveil it from evidence packaging, reading the serial number aloud. He admitted not tracing the owner via the carrier, despite having the info.
Tech Doubts and “Tunnel Vision”: Defense Pokes Holes
Adelstein didn’t stop at spelling bees. He grilled Moretti on the reliability of cellphone data, citing FBI Special Agent Brendan Collins’ June testimony that tower pings can’t always pinpoint locations accurately – especially with spotty tower coverage. Moretti conceded the science’s flaws but defended his work, saying he cross-verified via surveillance videos: Melly at the studio, the bloodied Jeep near businesses.
The defense painted a picture of investigative shortcuts, listing 14 potential suspects ignored by police. In opening statements, attorney David Howard accused Moretti of “tunnel vision” upon spotting rising star Melly on tape, closing the case prematurely without vetting leads. “No investigation. Case closed. Let’s move on,” Howard had quipped.
Adelstein spotlighted a social media claimant who boasted responsibility for the murders; Moretti interviewed him two years post-shooting – case already shut – but skipped coworker alibis. He also pressed on un-questioned figures like rapper Quando Rondo (who’d threatened Melly) and Melly’s manager, Jameson Francois (whose home yielded guns, magazines, and casings post-search).
Bradley flipped the script, quizzing Moretti on ruling out each suspect: “Our decision to make an arrest is based upon the totality of the circumstances… It’s everything.” Still, Adelstein hammered the lack of a home search warrant for Melly’s shared residence, despite eight people fleeing the studio, a lying driver, and blood-soaked interiors screaming for guns and clothes. “Did you even try?” he demanded.
Moretti’s stoic response: “That’s not how that works.” Tensions peaked when Adelstein alleged witness threats, including telling Francois he’d face deportation to a “crowded Haitian jail.” “Do you think threatening a witness… really gets to the truth?” Adelstein challenged.
Closing Arguments and the Road Ahead
As the state rested, the courtroom buzzed with anticipation. The defense kicks off Tuesday at 9 a.m., promising to dismantle the narrative with their own witnesses. But with Melly’s retrial now delayed to 2027 amid appeals over evidence admissibility – including blocked pre-murder texts and video disputes – fans and legal watchers remain glued. Melly, in custody since 2019, has denied all charges, maintaining his innocence through hits like “Murder on My Mind.”
This saga underscores the razor-thin line between digital breadcrumbs and reasonable doubt in modern trials. As Florida’s new death penalty rules loom, Melly’s fate hangs in the balance – a story far from over.
Sources:
Primary reporting: Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel (July 17, 2023)
Retrial updates: Rolling Stone (Aug. 8, 2025); Miami Herald (Oct. 16, 2025); Wikipedia trial summary (updated Nov. 18, 2025)
