📝 Full Name: Jamell Maurice Demons
🎂 Birth Date / Age: May 1, 1999 — 26 years old
👩👦 Parents: Jamie Demons-King (single mother)
👶 Siblings: Younger brother Brandon “YNW BSlime” King; sister Jewel
🎓 Education: Vero Beach High School (left during 10th grade)
📱 Social Media: 4.3 M Instagram followers; 3 M YouTube subscribers
From Gifford to Global Streams
Melly grew up in the small, economically strapped community of Gifford, Florida. You might picture palm trees and sunshine, but for young Jamell, it was more gunshots than beach shots. He began recording on a borrowed mic in eighth grade, blending soulful melodies à la Chris Brown with gritty Lil Wayne-inspired bars.
The local buzz turned into viral fame once “Murder on My Mind” dropped, racking up hundreds of millions of streams—and planting Melly firmly on hip-hop’s radar.
Keep reading to learn more about what happened next!
2018: Friendship, Fame … and Felony Allegations
October 26, 2018, changed everything. Prosecutors say Melly and longtime friend Cortlen “YNW Bortlen” Henry fatally shot fellow crew members Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas and Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams, then staged a drive-by look-alike scene
Melly turned himself in February 13, 2019, insisting he’s innocent. The sensational details—lyrics mirroring accusations, friendships turned fatal—left headlines screaming and fans divided.
Keep reading to learn more about those court twists!
Trials, Mistrials & Moving Goalposts
- July 2023: First trial ends in mistrial after jurors deadlock
- October 2023–July 2024: Hearings stall over evidence disputes; witness-tampering charges added.
- July 8, 2024: Judge Martin Fein reschedules retrial for September 10, 2025—jury selection that morning, opening statements Sept 16.
- July 9, 2025: Prosecutors seek another delay citing a pending appeal; judge urges both sides to stay on course
- July 16–17, 2025: Court orders documents in an 18-month investigation of defense attorney Raven Liberty but keeps the September date intact.
Legal chess hasn’t stopped speculation that Melly could secure pre-trial bond if the Broward Sheriff’s Office fails to justify harsh confinement conditions. Judge Melissa Damian gave the department an absolute deadline of December 6, 2025, to explain why he should remain locked up—or risk seeing him released to house arrest while awaiting retrial.
Bars Behind Bars: Music, Mindset & Mom
Locked up since 2019, Melly hasn’t stayed silent. He recorded vocals by phone for projects like Just a Matter of Slime, maintaining millions of monthly listeners on Spotify. Mom Jamie Demons-King uses Instagram Live to rally supporters, often citing prayer and perseverance whenever court setbacks hit
According to court filings, Melly claims three years without family phone calls and long stints in administrative segregation—conditions his lawyers blast as “cruel”
Dates Every Fan Should Circle
- December 5, 2024: Pre-trial hearing on witness-tampering case
December 6, 2025: Deadline for jail officials to justify continued isolation—potential bond trigger
- September 10, 2025: Jury selection for double-murder retrial
- September 16, 2025: Opening statements—barring further delays.
If acquitted, Melly could walk free that fall. If convicted, he faces life without parole or even the death penalty under Florida’s 8-4 jury rule.
FAQs
Q1. What is YNW Melly’s current release date?
A firm release date doesn’t exist. Retrial is set for Sept 10, 2025; any freedom before then would come only through bond or a court ruling.
Q2. Could Melly get out on bail before trial?
Yes—Judge Damian’s December 6, 2025 deadline forces the jail to justify conditions; failure could result in bond and house arrest.
Q3. What charges does he face?
Two counts of first-degree premeditated murder plus an added witness-tampering charge.
Q4. How long has he been in jail?
He’s been incarcerated since February 13, 2019—over six years and counting.
Q5. Is the death penalty on the table?
Prosecutors have not ruled out seeking capital punishment if he’s convicted.
