A Broward judge was set to consider a flurry of motions Monday in the case of South Florida rapper YNW Melly, but the hearing came to a stop when discussions over the investigation into his lead defense attorney Ravon Liberty came up.
The rapper was back in court as those discussions continued on Tuesday. Ultimately, he was given until Feb. 18 to decide if he would keep his attorneys, given the fact that Liberty is under investigation by the Broward Sheriff's Office.
Watch NBC6 free wherever you are
>
WATCH HEREThough authorities have not provided more details, one lawyer said Monday that it was for tampering.
Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, walked into court wearing a red maximum custody jumpsuit.
Get local news you need to know to start your day with NBC 6's News Headlines newsletter.
>
SIGN UP
Demons is part of a music collective that included his two childhood friends who rapped under the names YNW Juvy and YNW SakChaser.
He is accused of killing them both after a late-night recording session and making it look like a drive-by shooting. He’s been in custody since his arrest in February of 2019.
His case first garnered attention for the traitorous storyline recounted in court, his antics, and also for his rising success: his biggest hit was called "Murder on my Mind” and he boasted a track featuring Kanye West.
Local
Prosecutors confirmed Monday that the Broward Sheriff's Office is investigating Liberty, tied to Demon's tampering with evidence charge from 2023.
Demons' other attorneys questioned the investigation into Liberty and suggested this could delay his double murder retrial because Demons may decide to remove her from the case and start fresh with new counsel.
"Is she under investigation? The answer is yes," said Broward County Judge Martin Fein. "The only other question Mr. Demons has to decide does he want to go forward with her, or does he want conflict-free counsel which he is certainly entitled to.”
Liberty was not in court Monday due to bad weather delaying her flight. The probe is open and ongoing, but no charges were filed against her at this time.
The judge determined little could be done to move forward with the case until the defense knows more about the investigation involving her and she is in court to argue motions.
The hearing was resent to Tuesday morning.
Demons' double murder retrial is currently set to start in September.
His first trial ended in a mistrial in the summer of 2023.
