The 'Murder on My Mind' hitmaker's rapper has filed legal documents seeking for his release as he fears that he will be dying in prison after he tested positive for the coronavirus.
- Apr 8, 2020
AceShowbiz - YNW Melly is desperately begging for his release from prison after he tested positive for the coronavirus. The rapper's lawyer Bradford Cohen has filed legal documents seeking for him to be let out of Broward County Jail while waiting for his trial for a double-murder case.
According to the attorney, the 20-year-old, whose real name is Jamell Maurice Demons, fears he's on the verge of dying in prison due to the disease. Since his positive diagnosis, he is suffering from severe chills, heavy labored breathing, headaches and body aches.
Bradford says in legal papers obtained by TMZ that his client weighs 114 pounds and has not been monitored by medical personnel every hour like they're supposed to. The lawyer claims Melly has been holed up in a cell with another inmate who also has COVID-19 and there's fear "if the virus can be mutated or passed reoccurring between individuals."
Noting the jail's lack of preparedness for this type of epidemic, Bradford says, "They have not given them masks, or cleaning supplies that would be beneficial regarding his recovery. This is against all recommendations of the Surgeon General and CDC."
Bradford, who also represents Kodak Black in his own case, also took to Instagram on Monday, April 6 to give an update on the motion they filed for Melly's release. "We are waiting to hear from the judge regarding the release of Mr Demons to receive (sic) medical care and treatment," he stated.
"Supplemental motion was filed today detailing the jail having Mr. Demons share a cell with another COVID19 positive inmate," he explained. "This is not recommended by any medical physician. The jails and prisons are not prepared to handle this crisis. Rules on alcohol based hand sanitizer and wipes must be lifted at a bare min. Inmates are passing trays, jail phones and shared items that are not sanitized when passed between inmates."
Previously, Melly announced his plans to seek for restricted release on Thursday, April 2 via his Instagram account. The account's administrator posted, "Melly has tested positive for COVID-19 today while awaiting his trial in Broward County Jail," read the post. Citing his health condition, the "Mixed Personalities" hitmaker would "be filing a motion for restricted release in hopes of better care due to any jails not being prepared to treat this new virus."
Melly and fellow rapper YNW Bortlen a.k.a. Cortlen Henry were charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the October 26, 2018 fatal shootings of their friends Anthony "YNW Sakchaser" Williams and Christopher "YNW Juvy" Thomas Jr. Authorities purport that Melly conspired with Bortlen to stage the double-murder of Williams and Thomas Jr. and make it appear as if they were fatally injured in a drive by shooting. Bortlen allegedly drove the victims to the hospital where they later succumbed to their wounds.
He was arrested in February 2019 and pleaded not guilty to the double-murder charges in March of the same year.
