Judge Rules On YNW Melly’s Request For An Early Release Due To Coronavirus
A Florida judge has denied the request of Florida rapper YNW Melly to be released into house arrest to a hospital after reportedly testing positive for coronavirus earlier in April.
The MC, whose real name is Jamell Maurice Demons is said to be in worsening health and his weight has dropped to 114 pounds. His lawyer, Bradford Cohen says Broward County Jail, where he is being housed as he awaits trial for two first-degree murder charges, has not been providing Melly adequate medical attention. Melly is seeking to be released into a house arrest at a hospital at his own expense.
The “Murder On My Mind” rapper is reportedly sharing a cell with another inmate that has tested positive for the coronavirus. It wasn’t stated if that’s who he contracted COVID-19 from, but Cohen expressed concern that they could’ve passed the virus to each other.
Although the judge presiding over his case denied his request, Melly can request special medical treatment if need be by requesting it from the Broward County Sheriffs Office, according to TMZ.
Broward County Sheriff's Office officials shot down Cohen’s assertion that the jailhouse was ill-equipped to handle the coronavirus outbreak in a statement provided to Pitchfork.
“BSO follows the Florida Department of Health and CDC guidelines in regards to the testing of inmates. Inmates who test positive are medically isolated, treated and monitored in accordance with the Florida Department of Health and CDC guidelines,” the statement reads. “If an inmate who has tested positive shows signs of acute symptoms he or she will be transferred to a hospital.”
