YNW Melly Appears In Court For First Day Of Double Murder Trial

After four years behind bars, YNW Melly is finally having his day in court.

On Monday, June 12, the Florida native faced a judge and a jury of his peers during the first day of his double murder trial. During opening statements, the prosecution argued that Melly shot and killed his two friends Anthony Williams aka YNW Sakchaser and Christopher Thomas, Jr. aka YNW Juvy back in October 2018. They also laid out evidence that supports their belief that his other friend Cortlen Henry aka YNW Bortlen helped Melly stage the murder as a drive-by shooting and dropped the bodies off at a hospital in Miramar.

"What they will bring you is a case that's riddled with reasonable doubt," Melly's lawyer David Howard argued. "that is founded upon an incompetent and incomplete investigation. They exercised poor judgement at every turn."

During the trial, the prosecution presented compelling evidence including video footage of Bortlen driving his deceased friends to the hospital that night as well as surveillance video of the studio they all were at right before the shooting happened. Melly appeared to seem confident after he was seen smiling in the courtroom at the beginning of the trial. However, as the bodies of his dead friends made their way into the hospital on stretchers, the "Murder On My Mind" artist appeared to show some compassion.

The prosecution also offered up other aspects about the case that hadn't been previously disclosed. An Instagram DM exchange was revealed during the opening statements, in which a user asked about his safety following the shooting in 2018. The rapper allegedly responded "I did that, shhh."

While there were plenty of family of the deceased in the courtroom, Melly also had support from Boosie Badazz, who personally appeared at the trial on the rapper's behalf. If Melly is convicted, the prosecution with seek the death penalty. Due to Florida's new law signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, the jury only needs a 8-4 vote in order to implement a death sentence. Check out other scenes from day one of the trial below.