YNW Melly has caught a small break in his ongoing legal battle as prosecutors have dropped a charge accusing him of tampering with a witness.
State attorneys confirmed Tuesday that the charge was dismissed, though the Broward County State Attorney’s Office said it is still moving forward with the double homicide case against the rapper.
“We are proceeding with the homicide prosecution,” the office said in a statement.
The rapper, whose real name is YNW Melly, has been jailed in South Florida since his 2019 arrest. He is accused of killing childhood friends Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas and Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams in October 2018 after a late-night studio session. Prosecutors allege the shootings were later staged to look like a drive-by.
Melly’s co-defendant, Cortland “Bortland” Henry, is accused of driving the vehicle and helping cover up the killings. Both men have pleaded not guilty.
The dropped charge was part of a case that has already seen dramatic twists, including claims of jailhouse messages and alleged escape plans. Melly’s first trial ended in a mistrial in 2023 after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict.
Despite the latest development, Melly remains behind bars. His retrial is scheduled for January 2027, according to court records. Prosecutors are expected to release a memo explaining why NAIJAONPOINT tampering charge was dismissed.