Defense rests in Florida rapper YNW Melly’s murder trial

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The defense team for Florida rapper YNW Melly called only one witness before resting their case Tuesday.

Tuesday morning started with Melly’s attorneys calling one of his longtime friends, Adrian Davis, to the stand.

Davis spoke about the night at the recording studio, where Melly and his friends were before the murders occurred.

The state says Jamell “Melly” Demons was the shooter who killed Christopher “Juvy” Thomas Jr. and Anthony “Sakchaser” Williams on Oct. 26, 2018, and then tried to stage a drive-by shooting in Miramar with the help of his friend, Cortlen “Bortlen” Henry.

But the defense says it isn’t possible because Melly was actually asleep at home when the shooting happened, and that he, Davis and others all woke up to the news.

“When you heard that, did you see Melly in the house?” Davis was asked on the stand.

“Yes,” he responded.

“Did you see Melly? How he was dressed in the house?” the defense attorney asked.

“Yes,” Davis responded.

“What was he wearing?” the attorney asked.

“Shorts and a T-shirt, I think,” Davis said.

“What happened?” the attorney asked.

“We pulled and that’s when Melly got in the car with us,” Davis responded.

“Are you 100 percent sure that this young man learned of the shooting of his friends at the exact same time you learned of it?” the attorney asked.

“Yes,” Davis responded.

“And that was at the house?” the attorney asked.

“Yes,” Davis said.

The jury is going to be sequestered, meaning they will not be going home before they get a verdict, but will work all day to come to a decision and be kept in a hotel overnight.

If the jury finds Demons guilty, he could be sentenced to death or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

INTERACTIVE GRAPHIC

TRIAL TIMELINE

The first week of trial: Opening statements were on June 12

• Defense moves for a mistrial alleging ‘prejudicial fiasco’
• Millionaire record executive Kevin Liles gets front row
• Circumstantial evidence battle ensues during 1st week

The second week of trial: Prosecution’s witnesses continue to testify

• Judge denies defense’s motion for mistrial, juror hospitalized
• FBI cell phone data expert, BSO DNA analyst testify
• Judge sanctions prosecution over evidence discovery violation
• Judge allows prosecution’s gang expert to testify while wearing mask
• Text messages show conflict, request for gun, prosecutor says

The third week of trial: Testimony continues

• Prosecution alleges G-Shine Bloods gang affiliation relates to murders
• Defense says gang signs not indicative of membership
• Medical examiners testify about gunshot wounds
• Testimony in YNW Melly’s double murder trial continues for 3rd week
• Shooting reconstruction expert says ‘Juvy’ was shot at close range
• Grieving mother testifies on video last showing son alive
• Rapper Fredo Bang releases ‘Free Melly’ song

The court is in recess

• Defense incriminates YNW Bortlen
• Florida rapper’s Spotify listeners increase to over 12M

The fourth week of the trial: Testimony continues

• Prosecution presents final witnesses
• ‘Everybody will die’: Prosecution dives into combative messages
• Defense asks judge to exclude messages, questions use of tech

The fifth week of the trial: State rests, defense begins calling witnesses

• State rests during day 15 of YNW Melly trial, defense asks for mistrial