YNW Melly, the chart-topping rapper and one of the most controversial figures in modern American hip-hop, is preparing to head to court in a witness tampering case — a legal matter entirely separate from the double murder charges that have loomed over him for years.

According to the Broward County Court in Florida, the trial is scheduled to officially begin on January 21, 2026. As of early January, the case had only reached the stage of pretrial hearings and legal motions, and has not yet entered jury selection or full courtroom proceedings.

Prosecutors Allege Witness Interference From Jail

In this case, prosecutors allege that YNW Melly attempted to influence witness testimony while incarcerated awaiting trial. Court filings claim that Melly used jailhouse phone calls, messages, and communications through third parties to interfere with individuals directly connected to the 2018 double murder case.

According to the prosecution, some of these communications allegedly suggested remaining silent, altering testimony, or cooperating in ways favorable to the defense, actions they argue amount to obstruction of justice.

Defense Pushes Back

YNW Melly’s legal team has firmly denied all allegations. Defense attorneys argue that the evidence has been taken out of context and insist there is no direct instruction or explicit order from Melly aimed at intimidating or manipulating witnesses. They further contend that the communications cited by prosecutors do not meet the legal threshold for witness tampering under Florida law.

Why This Trial Matters

Although not the most severe charge Melly is facing, the witness tampering trial carries major strategic significance. A conviction could result in a separate prison sentence and may serve as a damaging factor in future criminal proceedings.

Notably, the rapper’s double murder retrial — involving the deaths of YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy — has been postponed until 2027. Prosecutors are moving forward with the witness tampering case first, a move widely viewed as an effort to establish a pattern of obstruction while Melly has been in custody.

An Uncertain Legal Future

Since his arrest in 2019, YNW Melly has spent much of his career entangled in courtrooms rather than recording studios. The upcoming trial will not only determine the outcome of this specific case, but could also shape the entire legal trajectory of his future.

As January 21, 2026 approaches, all eyes are on Broward County — where another tense chapter in YNW Melly’s legal saga is about to unfold.