Judge Declares Mistrial In YNW Melly Double Murder Case

The court proceedings surrounding YNW Melly’s double murder charges reached an impasse in Broward County, Florida. Unable to reach a consensus after prolonged deliberation, the case’s jury prompted the presiding judge to declare a mistrial. The ruling comes nearly four years after the fatal shooting of YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy, both of whom were friends and collaborators of Melly.

Circuit Court Judge John Murphy III made the statement following a two-day period of jury considerations. Prior to this, on Friday (July 21), the jury’s foreperson communicated their inability to form a unanimous decision via a letter to the judge. “Everyone is stuck on what side they’ve chosen,” the letter read.

Murphy suggested an Allen charge — a judicial tool designed to encourage deadlock-breaking amongst jurors. Despite a final round of deliberation, the jurors remained in a stalemate, which ultimately compelled Murphy to announce the mistrial.

Now, the future of the case rests with the prosecution, which has 90 days to consider a retrial. According to Miami-based law firm Valient Law, if the prosecution doesn’t initiate a new trial within this period, the defense could push to have the charges dismissed.