A judge has approved livestreaming jury selection for YNW Melly’s upcoming double-murder retrial, while also introducing strict rules for the proceedings.
According to court documents obtained by XXL on Thursday (Oct. 15), Judge Martin S. Fein submitted administrative orders to the Broward County Clerk in Florida on Oct. 13, detailing how jury selection will be conducted. The 19-page order calls for 500 prospective jurors to be summoned, with eligibility screenings held in groups of 50. From those who qualify, a panel of 60 prospective jurors will ultimately be selected.
Judge Fein also raised concerns about the safety of attorneys, court staff, potential jurors, and members of the public, prompting tighter security measures during jury selection.
The judge said the previous trial was disrupted by “numerous incidents of inappropriate contact and inappropriate communication and attempted communication between the prospective jurors and numerous members of the public.” As a result, members of the public will not be allowed to sit inside the courtroom during jury selection. Instead, they can watch the proceedings through a livestream from a separate courtroom.
YNW Melly’s double-murder retrial is scheduled to begin on Jan. 6, 2027.
Meanwhile, the rapper’s legal team has filed a motion seeking to suppress evidence obtained from Instagram, Snapchat, Google, and an iPhone through search warrants issued in March 2024. In court documents filed on Oct. 9, his attorneys allege investigators obtained the evidence unlawfully using an affidavit that contained intentional misstatements and omissions. The defense is asking for the evidence to be excluded from the retrial.
YNW Melly is scheduled to make his next court appearance on Oct. 27.
