YNW Melly has scored a small victory in his high-profile double murder trial for the deaths of YNW Juvy and YNW Sakchaser.
According to legal analyst Terri Austin, who’s been covering the trial extensively, Broward Circuit Judge John Murphy revealed on Wednesday (June 21) that the prosecution failed to disclose a second forensics report that resulted in a discovery violation.
Because of this, the information will now be excluded from the trial. “Judge Murphy ruled @ynwmelly trial that Prosecution committed a discovery violation for failure to disclose a second forensics report,” she tweeted. “That information will now be excluded!”
Check out Austin’s tweet below:
Judge Murphy ruled @ynwmelly trial that Prosecution committed a discovery violation for failure to disclose a second forensics report. That information will now be excluded! @LawCrimeNetwork@cathyrusson#ynwmelly
— Terri Austin (@Terridaustin) June 21, 2023
Later in the day, Austin also revealed YNW Melly’s DNA wasn’t found on any items inside the car except a door handle, after his sample was negative before the trial began.
“1/2: On cross exam, the DNA expert admitted that Melly’s DNA was not found on any items in the subject car except the rear driver side door handle.”
She continued: “2/2: Melly’s DNA sample was initially negative, then it was re-submitted for analysis after start of the trial! Sidebar happening outside jury’s presence and cameras off.”
1/2: On cross exam, the DNA expert admitted that Melly’s DNA was not found on any items in the subject car except the rear driver side door handle. @LawCrimeNetwork@cathyrusson#ynwmelly
— Terri Austin (@Terridaustin) June 21, 2023
2/2: Melly’s DNA sample was initially negative, then it was re-submitted for analysis after start of the trial! Sidebar happening outside jury’s presence and cameras off. ?@LawCrimeNetwork@cathyrusson#ynwmelly
— Terri Austin (@Terridaustin) June 21, 2023
Judge Murphy denied a mistrial this week after defense attorneys believed the jury had been tainted following unverified testimony from Felicia Holmes, the mother of YNW Melly’s ex-girlfriend.
He told attorneys that jurors could be instructed to ignore statements that were ruled inadmissible.
“The state has ruined my life,” Holmes said on Thursday (June 15), claiming she’d been “inundated” with threats from the state of Florida about prosecution and imprisonment if she didn’t cooperate.
One of the Florida rapper’s attorneys, David Howard, declared that there had been a “prejudicial fiasco” in court. “This jury sat there and watched this fiasco unfold with at least 10, maybe 15 sidebars, after every two questions,” he said, stating that the jury had been “tainted.”
YNW Melly’s Lawyer Goes Viral As Old Mugshot Surfaces: ‘It’s Over’
YNW Melly’s mother, Jamie King, recently revealed she suffered a heart attack as a result of stress caused by the trial.
“I’m deleting this app I can’t be crying and making myself upset because of a lying clout chaser who won’t even show his face in court but care so much,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories. “I had 1 heart attack already because of stress I refuse to let this kill me i try to be peaceful and respectful to all of you.”
She added: “I pray for everyone because I know it’s the right thing to do.”
YNW Melly was arrested and charged with two counts of premeditated murder in 2019 and faces life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. If convicted, he could get the death penalty.
