YNW Melly is asking a Broward County judge for permission to change lawyers for his double murder retrial.
The 26-year-old Florida-based rapper claims prosecutors left him no choice by investigating one of his defense attorneys, per the Sun Sentinel.
Melly (born Jamell Demons), who faces retrial on two counts of first-degree murder, had been pressured to drop his defense team after it came out that attorney Raven Liberty was under investigation for alleged witness tampering on his behalf.
Although no charges have been filed, Melly remained with his team until earlier this month, when his retrial was postponed until 2027.
“The state has been unwilling to share any information as to the nature of the investigation,” his outgoing attorneys wrote in a motion, per Sun Sentinel. “An attorney being under criminal investigation by the same prosecutorial body would constitute a conflict of interest.”
Jamie Benjamin, one of the departing lawyers, said Melly was acting in his best interest but that the situation deprived him of retaining the counsel of his choice, an issue that could resurface on appeal if he is convicted.
Melly’s new legal team will be led by former Palm Beach County Public Defender Carrie Haughwout, an expert in criminal defense and appellate law, and Atlanta lawyer Drew Findling, who previously represented Cardi B, Shaquille O’Neal, Dennis Rodman, and Donald Trump.
Melly is accused of fatally shooting his childhood friends Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams and Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas Jr. in October 2018, crimes that prosecutors say were partly gang-related. He could face either the death penalty or life in prison if convicted.
Another member of the group, Cortlen “YNW Bortlen” Henry, is set to go on trial next month for allegedly driving the Jeep where the shootings took place and helping stage them as a drive-by. He is charged with first-degree murder and accessory after the fact but does not face the death penalty.
Melly’s first trial in 2023 ended with a hung jury, and his retrial has since been mired in allegations of misconduct from both prosecution and defense.
A date has not yet been set for Judge Martin Fein to rule on the changes of lawyers.
For more about Melly's career and case, listen to Complex's podcast Infamous: The Story of YNW Melly, hosted by Ace Hood.
