YNW Melly Release Date: Latest Updates on the Rapper’s Legal Battle and Retrial
May 29, 2025Table of Contents
YNW Melly Release Date.
The question of YNW Melly release date has been a topic of intense interest among fans and followers of the rap community. After his first trial ended in a mistrial in 2023, and with a retrial now scheduled for September 2025, many are wondering if and when the “Murder on My Mind” rapper might regain his freedom. This comprehensive article provides the most up-to-date information on YNW Melly’s legal situation, trial status, and what this means for his potential release.
Who is YNW Melly?
Jamell Maurice Demons, professionally known as YNW Melly, is an American rapper and singer from Gifford, Florida. Born on May 1, 1999, he rose to prominence with hits like “Murder on My Mind,” “Mixed Personalities,” and “Suicidal.” His career was on an upward trajectory until February 13, 2019, when he was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Melly is accused of killing two of his friends and fellow YNW collective members, Anthony Williams (YNW Sakchaser) and Christopher Thomas Jr. (YNW Juvy), in October 2018. Prosecutors allege that after the murders, Melly and another associate, Cortlen Henry (YNW Bortlen), staged the crime scene to look like a drive-by shooting.
YNW Melly’s Current Legal Status
As of May 2025, YNW Melly remains incarcerated at the Broward County Jail in Florida. He has been behind bars for over six years while awaiting the resolution of his legal case. Despite multiple attempts to secure pretrial release, Melly has been consistently denied bond, with the most recent denial coming in May 2025.
The rapper faces two counts of first-degree murder, and if convicted, he could potentially face the death penalty. Under Florida’s revised death penalty law, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, a jury would only need eight out of twelve jurors (rather than a unanimous decision) to recommend the death penalty.
“Now YNW Melly’s fans are waiting for his release, but the official release date will be confirmed after the final verdict that is expected in 2025.”
— Trial of YNW Melly, Wikipedia
The First Trial & Mistrial
YNW Melly’s first trial began on June 12, 2023, after years of pre-trial proceedings and delays. The prosecution argued that Melly had confessed to the murders in Instagram direct messages, while the defense maintained there was no motive and the case was “riddled with reasonable doubt.”
After three days of deliberation totaling approximately 14 hours, the jury remained deadlocked. On July 22, 2023, Judge John Murphy declared a mistrial. According to an interview with a juror by Local 10 News, the hung jury had a 9-to-3 vote in favor of convicting Melly on the lesser charges of manslaughter, not first-degree murder.
YNW Melly’s Upcoming Retrial (September 2025)
On July 8, 2024, Judge Martin Fein, who is now presiding over the case, scheduled YNW Melly’s retrial to begin on September 10, 2025. This date came after multiple delays, including an indefinite pause in early 2024 while awaiting a decision on the inclusion of certain video evidence.
Judge Fein also set a pretrial meeting for December 5, 2024, regarding a separate witness tampering case against Melly. The substantial time between these dates is due to the complex nature of the case and the need to resolve various legal matters before proceeding with the trial.
The retrial will determine whether YNW Melly is guilty of the first-degree murders of his two friends or if he will be acquitted. The outcome of this trial is crucial for determining any possible release date for the rapper.
When Could YNW Melly Be Released?
There is currently no official release date for YNW Melly, as this entirely depends on the outcome of his upcoming retrial scheduled for September 2025. There are several possible scenarios:
- Acquittal: If YNW Melly is found not guilty of all charges, he would be released immediately after the trial concludes, which could be sometime in late 2025 or early 2026, depending on how long the retrial lasts.
- Conviction on Lesser Charges: If convicted of lesser charges such as manslaughter (as the previous jury was leaning toward), Melly would face a shorter sentence than first-degree murder but would still likely serve substantial prison time.
- Conviction on All Charges: If convicted of first-degree murder, Melly could potentially face the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, meaning there would be no release date.
- Plea Deal: There’s always the possibility of a plea agreement before the retrial begins, which could result in a defined sentence and eventual release date.
It’s important to note that even if Melly is eventually released, the time he has already spent in jail (over six years as of 2025) would likely count as time served toward any potential sentence.
Recent Bond Denial (May 2025)
In May 2025, YNW Melly’s legal team made another attempt to secure his pretrial release through a bond hearing. According to court documents, Melly’s attorneys filed a motion requesting bond ahead of his September retrial.
On May 6, 2025, the rapper appeared in court for an Arthur hearing, during which defendants can seek bond for offenses that would typically be non-bondable. His defense team proposed that his record label would post his bond.
However, on May 12, 2025, Judge Martin Fein denied the bond request, meaning YNW Melly will remain behind bars until his retrial begins in September 2025. This was not the first time Melly has been denied bond; similar requests have been consistently rejected since his initial arrest in 2019.
Complete Timeline of YNW Melly’s Legal Battle
October 26, 2018
Anthony Williams (YNW Sakchaser) and Christopher Thomas Jr. (YNW Juvy) are killed in what is initially reported as a drive-by shooting.
February 13, 2019
YNW Melly is arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He pleads not guilty.
April 11, 2023
Jury selection begins for YNW Melly’s first trial after years of delays.
June 12, 2023
YNW Melly’s first trial officially begins with opening statements.
July 22, 2023
Judge John Murphy declares a mistrial after the jury remains deadlocked with a 9-to-3 vote favoring manslaughter charges.
Early 2024
The case is placed on indefinite pause awaiting a decision on the inclusion of video evidence.
July 8, 2024
Judge Martin Fein schedules YNW Melly’s retrial for September 10, 2025, and sets a pretrial meeting for December 5, 2024.
May 6, 2025
YNW Melly appears in court for a bond hearing, seeking pretrial release.
May 12, 2025
Judge Martin Fein denies YNW Melly’s bond request, ruling he must remain in jail until his retrial.
September 10, 2025
YNW Melly’s retrial is scheduled to begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is YNW Melly out of jail?
No, YNW Melly is not out of jail. As of May 2025, he remains incarcerated at the Broward County Jail in Florida while awaiting his retrial scheduled for September 2025.
When is YNW Melly’s release date?
There is no official release date for YNW Melly. His potential release depends entirely on the outcome of his retrial, which is scheduled to begin on September 10, 2025. If acquitted, he could be released after the trial concludes, but if convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence or even the death penalty.
What happened in YNW Melly’s first trial?
YNW Melly’s first trial ended in a mistrial on July 22, 2023, after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. According to a juror interview, the jury was split 9-to-3 in favor of convicting Melly on the lesser charges of manslaughter rather than first-degree murder.
When is YNW Melly’s retrial?
YNW Melly’s retrial is scheduled to begin on September 10, 2025, as set by Judge Martin Fein on July 8, 2024.
Could YNW Melly get the death penalty?
Yes, if convicted of first-degree murder, YNW Melly could potentially face the death penalty. Under Florida’s revised death penalty law, a jury would only need eight out of twelve jurors to recommend the death penalty rather than requiring a unanimous decision.
Why was YNW Melly denied bond?
YNW Melly has been denied bond multiple times, with the most recent denial coming on May 12, 2025. Bond is typically denied in cases involving serious charges like first-degree murder, especially when the defendant could potentially face the death penalty, as they may be considered a flight risk.
Conclusion
The question of when YNW Melly will be released remains unanswered as his legal battle continues to unfold. With his retrial scheduled for September 2025, fans and the public will have to wait at least until the end of that year or early 2026 for a resolution to his case.
If acquitted, Melly could walk free after more than six years of incarceration. If convicted, however, he could face a lengthy prison sentence or even the death penalty. The outcome of his retrial will be the determining factor in whether there will ever be a release date for the “Murder on My Mind” rapper.
As this legal saga continues, we will update this article with the latest information on YNW Melly’s case and any developments regarding his potential release date.
Last Updated: May 25, 2025
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information provided is based on publicly available sources and may change as new developments occur in YNW Melly’s legal case.
References
- Trial of YNW Melly – Wikipedia
- YNW Melly: Judge sets date for rapper’s double murder retrial – NBC Miami
- YNW Melly remains in jail after judge denies bond again – Miami Herald
- Judge denies bond for YNW Melly while he awaits double murder re-trial – NBC Miami
- YNW Melly awaits second trial in September – TCPalm
