A judge has turned down the 'Murder on My Mind' rapper's request for house arrest though he complains about not receiving proper care for his COVID-19 symptoms in jail.
- Apr 15, 2020
AceShowbiz - YNW Melly isn't going out of jail anytime soon despite his coronavirus diagnosis. A judge has turned down the Florida rapper's request for house arrest while awaiting his trial for a double-murder case though he claims that he fears of dying inside the prison for not receiving adequate care for his COVID-19 symptoms.
According to legal documents obtained by TMZ, the judge orders that Melly, whose real name is Jamell Maurice Demons, remains in the Broward County Jail in Florida. The judge says that if the 20-year-old hip-hop star does want to get medical treatment in jail, he can speak to the Broward Sheriff's Office for arrangements.
Melly's family broke the news earlier this month that he tested positive for COVID-19 while in jail. His lawyer Bradford Cohen later filed legal documents asking for the judge to release him to house arrest and allow him to be treated at a medical facility at his own expense.
In the legal docs, the lawyer argued that the "Mixed Personalities" spitter is in danger of dying in prison due to the novel coronavirus. Since his positive diagnosis, he is suffering from severe chills, heavy labored breathing, headaches and body aches.
However, Bossip later reported that the family of Melly's alleged murder victim pleaded with the judge not to let him out on compassionate grounds despite his illness, believing that he poses a threat to them as well as other witnesses.
The family of Christopher Thomas said in court papers that Melly displayed disturbing behavior, including his claims he has six different personalities - including at least one violent one with murderous tendencies.
The victim's family also asked for protection and to be more involved in the murder case as it moves forward. "While the victims sympathize with the alleged medical condition Mr. Demons faces, Mr. Demons presents a threat to the family, to society, and cannot sufficiently be restricted if released," the family stated in the court papers.
Melly's family has not issued a statement on the judge's order for him to remain in jail.
