YNW Melly (left) has tested positive for the coronavirus at the Broward County jail, where he is being held on double murder charges.
The 20-year-old rapper, real name Jamell Demons, filed for early release a day after a New York judge released rapper Tekashi69 on house arrest.
Melly was arrested last February on two counts of first-degree murder in the October 2018 shooting deaths of aspiring rappers YNW Juvy (Christopher Thomas Jr.), 19, and YNW Sakchaser (Anthony Williams), 21.
In a statement, Melly’s legal team said they hoped his release from jail will allow the rapper to find “better care due to any jails not being prepared to treat this new virus.”
Melly is not likely to be released due to the seriousness of his charges. He is facing the death penalty.
Tekashi69’s lawyer also cited his health (he reportedly has asthma) in his request to a judge to release the troubled rapper from a federal lockup, where he served 13 months for federal RICO and weapons charges.
It isn’t clear if the judge imposed any Internet or social media restrictions on Tekashi, 23, who will be on house arrest with an ankle monitor for the next four months.
