YNW Melly’s legal battles continue to mount as he remains locked up on two counts of first degree murder. Behind bars since 2019, the rapper was dealt another blow this week when a federal judge dismissed his attempt to challenge the conditions of his incarceration.
On Tuesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Melissa Damian ruled against Melly’s habeas corpus petition, explaining that he must first pursue every available option in state court before seeking relief at the federal level. The decision was issued “without prejudice,” which means he could bring the claim again in the future.
Melly had filed a 12 page complaint in November 2024, where he described what he called “shocking” treatment inside Broward County Jail. He alleged long stretches of solitary confinement and strict limits on his ability to meet with his attorneys, comparing the conditions to prisons in countries known for poor human rights protections.
The ruling arrives as his retrial continues to face delays. Originally scheduled for September 2026, a Broward County judge recently pushed the start date to January 2027, citing both scheduling issues and the complexity of the case. Melly’s first trial in 2023 ended in a mistrial after the jury could not reach a unanimous decision. Until proceedings resume, he will remain in county custody.