Prosecutors in Florida are seeking the death penalty for rapper YNW Melly, who is accused of two counts of first-degree murder, according to a report by TMZ.
Melly was arrested in February and charged with the murder of Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr, alleged to be his friends and members of his rap crew.
Documents obtained by TMZ say that the State believes it can “prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Melly killed his friends for financial gain, the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, and he committed homicide in a cold, calculated and premeditated manner.”
The 19-year-old rising star was first arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in Florida on February 13 after Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr were shot dead on 26 October last year.
Police said in February that the rapper, whose real name is Jamell Demons, staged the crime scene with accomplice Cortlen Henry to make it appear like the two men had been killed in a brutal drive-by shooting.
Shortly after the arrest, Melly responded on his Instagram, saying: “To all my fans and supporters no I did not get locked up in Washington, but I am turning myself in today.
“I want you guys to know I love you and appreciate every single one of y’all, a couple months ago I lost my two brothers by violence and now the system want to find justice.. unfortunately a lot of rumors and lies are being said but no worries god is with me.”
The arrest came only a month after YNW Melly released ‘We All Shine’: his biggest hit to date, which featured a sample from Kanye West.