Mariah Hamilton, the ex-girlfriend of rapper YNW Melly, is finally free after spending time behind bars for refusing to testify in his high-profile murder trial. The 24-year-old was arrested last month at Miami International Airport as she returned from a trip to El Salvador. Authorities had a warrant out for her after she ignored a court order to testify in Melly’s 2023 trial, which ended in a mistrial.
Her legal team fought hard for her release, arguing that she had no criminal record and worked in the medical field. They insisted she was unfairly detained. After an emergency hearing, the court agreed to let her go—but only if she promised to appear at all future court proceedings.
Why Was She Arrested?
Prosecutors believe Hamilton has key information about the 2018 murders of Melly’s two close friends, Christopher Thomas Jr. (YNW Juvy) and Anthony Williams (YNW Sakchaser). Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, is accused of staging their deaths to look like a drive-by shooting.
Despite being ordered by a judge to take the stand, Hamilton refused to testify in the 2023 trial. This led to an arrest warrant for civil contempt. When she was finally taken into custody, her lawyers immediately pushed for her release, calling the arrest an overreach of power.
Did Police Threaten Her?
Hamilton has spoken out about the pressure she’s faced from law enforcement over the years. She claims that ever since she was 17, police officers have tried to intimidate her into testifying against Melly. According to her, they even threatened to charge her as an accessory to the crime if she didn’t cooperate.
Her refusal to testify raises big questions—does she really know something crucial about the case, or is she just trying to stay out of trouble?
What This Means for YNW Melly’s Retrial
Melly’s retrial is coming up later this year, and prosecutors are still pushing for Hamilton to take the stand. They argue that her testimony could be the key to securing a conviction and that no one else can provide the same insights she has.
Now that Hamilton is free, the big question remains—will she finally testify, or will she continue to resist? Either way, her decision could have a major impact on Melly’s fate.