Could lyrics be used against YNW Melly in double murder retrial? Prosecutors will try
READ MORE
The double murder trial of rapper YNW Melly
The double murder trial of rapper YNW Melly, whose legal name is Jamell Demons, has had many twists and turns since the South Florida artist was accused of killing his childhood best friends Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr. in 2019.
Expand All
The lead prosecutor in YNW Melly’s double murder case plans on admitting the rapper’s music videos and lyrics as evidence — and using them against him.
Prosecutor Alixandra Buckelew on Wednesday filed a list of witnesses and evidence that could be included in the retrial, which is expected to begin in February. The state wants to admit 55 songs, four album covers and 18 audio files.
Among the proposed evidence is Melly’s double-platinum song “Murder on My Mind,” which features a grim retelling of an unintentional homicide over a blend of emotional piano riffs and hip-hop beats. His albums “Just a Matter of Slime,” “Melly vs. Melvin,” “We All Shine,” and “I Am You” are also listed.
Former prosecutor Kristine Bradley, who was ousted from the case in October, shied away from using the rapper’s lyrics in the first trial. Melly’s music career was sparingly mentioned, though a witness tried to tie the rapper’s album “We All Shine” to his alleged involvement with the G-Shine Bloods. “Mixed Personalities,” a song on the album, includes the line “One day she blooded, then she cripping, dawg.”
“This is not just in music videos,” Bradley said during opening arguments in the first trial. “This is not just in lyrics. We’re not going to get into that because that’s artistic expression. That’s not why we’re here today.”
In a filing Thursday, the defense asked Broward Circuit Court Judge John Murphy to bar prosecutors from introducing songs, music videos and lyrics into Melly’s retrial.
Defense attorney Raven Liberty told the Miami Herald she was taken aback by prosecutors’ efforts to introduce lyrics into the case.
“To receive something this late in the game is just part and parcel of what they’ve been doing the entire time,” Liberty said.
Liberty said that three years ago, the State Attorney’s Office assured the rapper’s legal team that his lyrics wouldn’t be used against him.
When asked for comment, the Broward State Attorney’s Office said trial prosecutors will file a written response to the defense’s claim by Saturday. A hearing is set for Monday at 9 a.m.
What songs are on the evidence list?
This story was originally published December 14, 2023 at 8:13 PM.
.png)