In a recent deposition, attorneys for rapper YNW Melly, whose real name is Jamal Demons, interrogated Detective Garrett Steel regarding allegations of witness tampering. This deposition, conducted in December, is part of ongoing legal proceedings against Melly, who is accused of attempting to obstruct justice by influencing a witness, Mariah Hamilton, in a capital felony case.
During the deposition, the defense team raised significant questions about the validity of the charges against their client. A key point of contention was whether Hamilton had ever been officially summoned to testify at Melly’s trial. According to the defense, it is undisputed that no legal process was initiated to summon Hamilton to court, which they argue undermines the prosecution’s case. Detective Steel confirmed that no such subpoena was issued, stating that there was no evidence to support claims of monetary payments made by Melly to Hamilton to induce her to withhold testimony.
The defense focused on various communication methods, including emails and handwritten notes—referred to as “kites”—that inmates share within correctional facilities. They contended that the prosecution’s interpretation of these communications was flawed and lacked clarity. Throughout the deposition, the attorneys highlighted discrepancies in the detective’s testimony regarding the timeline and nature of these communications, suggesting a lack of solid evidence to support the allegations of witness tampering.
Tensions escalated during the questioning, particularly when the defense attorney pressed Steel on the details of email communications related to Hamilton’s deposition. At one point, Steel appeared unable to recall specific details, leading to a heated exchange over the relevance and interpretation of those emails. The defense argued that the chaotic nature of the kites and the informal language used in them rendered them unreliable as evidence of witness tampering.
Furthermore, Detective Steel’s response to queries about the nature of Hamilton’s relationship with other individuals, particularly her alleged connection to Courtland Henry, another defendant in Melly’s case, suggested potential motives that could complicate the prosecution’s position. Steel admitted that he had not yet reviewed all evidence relating to Hamilton’s financial transactions or any alleged threats made against her.
The deposition further revealed that the investigation into witness tampering had begun in September 2023, with Detective Steel stating that he initially engaged with the case later that year. However, when pressed about the specifics of the investigation, including whether Hamilton had been threatened or coerced, Steel’s answers remained vague, indicating that much of the evidence was still being compiled.
Overall, the deposition underscored the defense’s strategy to dismantle the prosecution’s claims by highlighting procedural lapses and questioning the integrity of the evidence. As the legal battle continues, the implications of this deposition could significantly affect the outcome of Melly’s trial, which remains fraught with complexities surrounding witness credibility and the nature of the evidence presented. The case has drawn significant media attention, largely due to Melly’s celebrity status and the serious nature of the charges against him.