YNW Melly Tests Positive for COVID-19 in Jail; Asks For Release

Rapper YNW has been texted positive for coronavirus and is asking officials in Florida to let him out of jail ahead of his double-murder trial.

According to a statement on the Instagram page of the Murder on My Mind rapper, 20, YNW Melly was seeking an early release amid a jail atmosphere he said isn't equipped to deal with the deadly pandemic.

'Melly has tested positive for COVID-19 today while awaiting his trial in Broward County Jail,' the statement read. '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. He hopes for your support and to recover soon.'

The statement ended, #prayformelly send positive energy to him please.'

In a subsequent post, his team posted an emoji of praying hands alongside an excerpt of story confirming that Broward Sheriff’s Office said that two inmates, who were not named, had tested positive for the deadly pandemic over the past two days.

'We have been very concerned about the potential for this to occur and that is why we have been working with the courts and the criminal defence bar to release non-violent offenders,' Broward State Attorney’s Office Paula McMahon told the outlet in an email.

YNW Melly, who collaborated with Kanye West on the 2019 single Mixed Personalities, was taken into custody in February of 2019 accused of first-degree murder in the deaths of two other rappers - Christopher Thomas Jr., 19, known as YNW Juvy, and Anthony Williams, 21, known as YNW Sakchaser.

He may face death penalty for the same.