YNW Melly is switching attorneys after his double murder case was officially postponed until 2027, extending an already lengthy delay.
According to a court filing on Wednesday, Melly stated that his current legal team is now entangled in a criminal investigation, which he says creates a clear conflict of interest and makes it impossible for them to continue representing him. The document didn’t specify who exactly is under investigation, but previous hearings have pointed to his longtime lead lawyer, Raven Liberty.
Melly, 25, has been incarcerated since 2019, accused of killing his close friends Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams and Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas Jr. in 2018. At the time, he was on the rise, fueled by his breakout hit “Murder on My Mind.” Since then, the case has experienced repeated delays, including the impact of COVID-19, death penalty appeals, a mistrial, and ongoing disputes over evidence. This month, the trial was postponed yet again, with a new date set for January 2027…almost eight years after his initial arrest.
Stepping in to lead his defense is veteran Atlanta attorney Drew Findling, whose client roster includes Cardi B, Offset, Gucci Mane, Lil Durk, GloRilla, and, recently, Lil Nas X. He will work alongside Carey Haughwout, a former Palm Beach County public defender with more than two decades of experience before transitioning to private practice.