According to complex on 15th April 2020, YNW Melly will reportedly remain behind bars despite testing positive for Pandemic.
The 20-year-old rapper—legal name Jamell Maurice Demons—had filed an emergency motion for restricted release after contracting the disease at Broward County penal institution. TMZ reports on 14th April 2020, the motion was ultimately denied, meaning Melly would have to receive his special medical treatments —that is, after he requested the treatments from the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
According to his attorney, Bradford Cohen, the South Florida artist was suffering from chills, body aches, and breathing difficulties in the week after he was diagnosed with Pandemic. Cohen told Complex he feared his client’s condition would worsen, as the custody personnel was failing to take steps that would expedite Melly’s recovery.
“He still has headaches and body aches. Mr. Demons is 114 lbs. The custody is just ill prepared if his diagnosis takes a turn for the worse,” Cohen said in legal documents filed on Monday, which call for the emergency motion for his conditional release. “They have not given them masks, or cleaning supplies that would be beneficial regarding his recovery.”
Shortly after Melly filed the motion, the families of his sufferer expressed their opposition to his restricted release. Melly is currently awaiting trial for the 2018 shootings of Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr. The family of the former sufferer released a statement through their attorney, arguing that Melly should not be released before he is tried by a jury.
“While our firm and the family of Anthony Williams’ sympathize with anyone affected by Pandemic, we do not believe this justifies pretrial release,” the family’s legal representatives at Steinger, Greene & Feiner told TMZ. “He needs to remain in custody until a jury decides his fate.”Penal institutions have become a hotspot for the pandemic, as it is difficult to practice social distancing in overcrowded facilities.
A number of cities and states have attempted to curb the spread of the disease in custody, who are either above a certain age or have less than six or three months left to serve. Rapper 6ix9ine was among those who was prematurely released from custody due to Pandemic concerns. His team argued he was particularly vulnerable to the disease because he had a history of asthma.
This article was originally published on the TMZ.com on 14th April 2020, complex.com on 15th April 2020
