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A deadlocked jury in South Florida resulted in the mistrial of rapper YNW Melly, who is charged with the 2018 murders of two of his friends.
The Broward County, Florida jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict after three days of deliberation in the trial of the rapper, whose real name is Jamell Demons.
County prosecutors sought the death penalty and are likely to retry the case with a new jury, according to the Associated Press.
To convict or acquit Demons, all 12 jurors must find him guilty or not guilty of the crimes.
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Jamell Demons, also known as YNW Melly, is accused of murdering two of his friends in 2018. (Broward Sheriff’s Office/Getty)
When the jury deadlocked the first time, Judge John Murphy asked them to continue deliberating, but after the third time, he declared a mistrial.
Demons is charged with shooting Anthony Williams, aka YNW Sakchaser, and Christopher Thomas Jr., aka YNW Juvy, on Oct. 26, 2018, while driving a jeep driven by Cortland Henry, aka YNW Bortlen, prosecutors say.
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The shootings occurred after a shooting session in Fort Lauderdale, and prosecutors allege they were part of a gang operation. However, defense attorneys said the claim is not credible because Demons, Williams and Thomas were all close friends.
Henry was charged with complicity and will be tried separately.
After shooting and killing the two victims, prosecutors said, Demons and Henry took the bodies to an area near the Everglades and fired into the back and passenger sides from outside the jeep to make it look like Thomas and Williams were the victims of a drive-by shooting.
Demons is charged with shooting Anthony Williams, aka YNW Sakchaser, and Christopher Thomas Jr., aka YNW Juvy, on Oct. 26, 2018, while driving a jeep driven by Cortland Henry, aka YNW Bortlen, prosecutors say. (iStock)
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While prosecutors say ballistics show the two men were shot from inside the vehicle, defense attorneys say no gun was ever recovered.
The defense also said at trial that Demons had no motive for the crime.
In 2017, YNW broke through and collaborated with Kanye West on “Mixed Personalities”, which was released in January 2019.
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A month later, Demons, 24, was arrested on murder charges.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.
