The Coronavirus does not discriminate, and now the virus has struck the hip-hop community yet again, this time taking aim at rising star YNW Melly, who tested positive while behind bars in Florida.
According to a statement that his team released on Instagram, the incarcerated 20-year-old was diagnosed on Thursday while awaiting trial in Broward County Jai for his double-murder case. Following in Tekashi 6ix9ine’s footsteps, who was released several months early from prison citing COVID-19 scares, Melly will be requesting a restricted release from jail, to await trial at home. Melly is one of two inmates at Broward County Jail who have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
“Melly has tested positive for COVID-19 today while awaiting his trial in Broward County Jail. He’ll be filing a motion for restricted release in hopes of better care due to any jails not being prepared to treat this new virus.” The statement goes on to read, “He hopes for your support and to recover soon #prayformelly send positive energy to him please.”
The rapper/singer is facing the death penalty in the October 2018 shooting deaths of his friends Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr. He has been in jail since February 2019, charged with two counts of first-degree murder.