State prosecutors in Broward County have dropped tampering with a witness charges against rapper YNW Melly.
Tuesday’s decision comes one day before the trial was set to start. A total of four charges were dropped including tampering with a witness, directing activities of a criminal gang, criminal solicitation to commit murder and conspiracy to tamper with a witness on a capital felony.
The charges stem from allegations that Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, tried to convince a key witness not to take the stand in his 2023 double murder retrial.
Demons, 26, is charged in the murders of two longtime friends, Christopher Thomas, Jr. and Anthony Williams.
Police in Miramar alleged Demons shot and killed Thomas, Jr. and Williams in a car after spending the night of Oct. 26, 2018 at a Fort Lauderdale recording studio.
Investigators say Demons, along with co-defendant Cortlen Henry, staged a drive-by shooting in Miramar near the Everglades and claimed they were all victims.
State prosecutors tried Demons in 2023 for the murders, but it ended with a deadlocked jury and the judge declared a mistrial.
Attorneys said one juror who favored Demons refused to convict him and convinced two others to vote “not guilty.”
Henry took a plea deal and was sentenced to 10 years in prison on witness tampering and accessory after the fact charges. In exchange, the state dropped the two murder charges against him.
Demons’ double murder retrial is set for January 2027. He could face the death penalty if he is found guilty.
