Florida rapper YNW Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, will remain jailed without bond after a Florida judge denied his latest request for pretrial release. Judge Martin S. Fein ordered that prosecutors still present sufficient evidence to support a conviction in the double-murder case pending in Broward County.
In a May 6 order filed through the Broward County Clerk of Courts, the court rejected YNW Melly’s renewed motion for bond via Arthur hearing. An Arthur proceeding under Florida law is used to determine whether a defendant charged with a capital offense may be released on bond before trial.
The order followed an April 30 evidentiary hearing in Fort Lauderdale. The court reviewed testimony, prior trial evidence, and the broader electronic court record. Witnesses Audrey Gross, Nikaya Mirhadi-Pathon, Kevin Corbett, Matthew Norman and Victor Delgado all testified. The court found each witness credible.
Rapper YNW Melly Denied Bond Once Again By Broward County Judge
The judge wrote that, after reviewing evidence introduced by both sides. Stating, “the State’s evidence is arguably sufficient to convict, it is not contradicted in a material respect such that there is a substantial question of fact as to the guilt or innocence of the Defendant.”
Citing the appellate decision in Gallo v. Lamberti, the court added that “the proof of guilt is evident and the presumption of guilt is great.” The legal standard required to deny bond in capital cases under Florida law.
The ruling also incorporated earlier decisions denying bond requests filed in 2023 and 2025 following the Demons’ mistrial. The court noted that a December 2023 omnibus suppression order excluded certain evidence. It was upheld by Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal.
However, the judge declined to adopt one finding from the 2023 order. The court states, “does not make any findings that the Defendant has been affiliated with violent gangs.’”
Demons remains held without bond on both counts as the prosecution brought by the State of Florida proceeds.
The capital murder retrial for YNW Melly is set for January 2027 in Broward County Court, with Judge Martin S. Fein presiding.
