In the latest update in the YNW Melly double murder case, an individual who served on the jury has gone public with details on their experience, including allegations of an “explosive” and “manipulative” fellow juror.
As previously reported, Broward Circuit Judge John Murphy declared a mistrial in July. In court, Murphy read a letter from the jury and thanked them for their service in the prolonged proceedings.
“After further discussions, reviewing the evidence, and speaking freely amongst the jurors, we are still unable to reach a unanimous decision,” the statement said.
Now, a juror has opened up about the behind-the-scenes nature of the case in a new interview with regional outlet WPLG. Notably, the unnamed juror says that most jury members wanted a conviction in Melly's case. However, another juror "was there to cause chaos" for the trial, the person claims.
“From day one, she had issues with the foreperson selected, at one point crossing her arms and saying she was ‘done!’" the former juror told reporter Ian Margol. "When another juror asked to not shut down and set her feelings aside, she exploded ... She was explosive, manipulative, she was rude, she yelled insults at anyone who had a different opinion."
At one point, the 12-person jury was split 11-1 before the “manipulative” juror in question allegedly persuaded two jurors to change their minds. This juror is also alleged to have used “gay slurs” when responding to other jury members.
As for a recent Instagram Stories-shared claim from Melly’s mother that the jury had landed at 9-3 in favor of acquitting, the juror interviewed by WPLG disputed this and said it was 9-3 in favor of a conviction.
Melly is accused in the 2018 killings of Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas Jr. and Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the case back in 2019, with the eventual trial resulting in a number of widely discussed moments and public comments from victims' family members.
Last week, it was confirmed that prosecutors would be retrying Melly’s double murder case. When reached for comment by Complex at the time, a rep for the Broward County State Attorney’s Office confirmed that the case is being retried but declined to say more.
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