YNW Melly sues Broward Sheriff's Office, alleging cruel treatment and rights violations

Rapper Jamell Maurice Demons, professionally known as YNW Melly, has filed a lawsuit against the Broward Sheriff's Office, alleging that he faces “cruel and inhumane” conditions while detained at Broward County Jail in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

His attorney, Michael Pizzi Jr., filed the complaint on November 2, 2024, citing violations of the First, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution. The lawsuit claims that Melly’s treatment involves severe isolation and inadequate facilities, intended to “break” him mentally. According to Pizzi, “Melly has and continues to be subjected to...conditions that are beyond belief in a civilized society governed by constitutional safeguards,” as reported by NBC Miami.

Held without bail since a mistrial was declared in his murder case, Melly has been detained since 2019 after being charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the alleged killing of his friends YNW Sakchaser (Anthony Williams) and YNW Juvy (Christopher Thomas Jr.) in 2018. Miami Herald reports that the lawsuit describes substantial obstacles for his legal team, including prolonged wait times and lack of privacy for client-attorney meetings, impeding Melly’s defense preparations.

The complaint also references a 2022 incident in which another inmate alleged that Melly planned an escape, resulting in restricted communication and confiscated belongings. Pizzi contends that these measures lack “legitimate security concerns” and serve as punitive actions aimed at Melly's mental health. With ongoing delays, Melly’s retrial is now scheduled for September 2025, with pre-trial proceedings starting December 5, 2024.