In February, rapper and Kanye West collaborator YNW Melly, real name Jamell Demons, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. It has since been reported that The State of Florida intends to seek the death penalty against the musician.
The charges relate to the shooting death of two members of the YNW crew, 19-year-old Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas Jr. and 21-year-old Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams. The men were shot in October in what was initially believed to be a drive-by shooting. However, it was later revealed that police believe the drive-by shooting was staged, and the rapper drove around with the bodies of the deceased in his car for some time after.
According to legal documentation obtained by TMZ, Florida prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in this case. The report states that the prosecution “can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Melly killed his friends for financial gain.”
In an interview with Billboard, Jason Roger Williams, YNM Melly’s lawyer, believes that it “was always their plan,” to pursue the death penalty. “They’ve indicated that since the beginning of this case,” He shared. “The prosecution wasn’t hiding the ball on this. They were very clear in articulating this was their plan.”
Melly has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Watch: YNM Melly ft. Kanye West – ‘Mixed Personalities’
