Mariah Hamilton, the former girlfriend of rapper YNW Melly, was arrested on Sunday in Miami-Dade County after returning to the United States.
Her arrest stems from an outstanding warrant related to her failure to testify during Melly’s first murder trial, which ended in a mistrial in 2023. Hamilton, who was involved with Melly during the 2018 double murders he is accused of, has become a significant figure in the case. She faces potential charges for not attending the trial and for possible witness tampering. Prosecutors claim that Melly’s associates tried to influence her testimony, while Hamilton alleges that law enforcement threatened her to provide information.
In a 2023 interview, Hamilton revealed that both she and her mother were threatened by authorities, and she was warned of charges as an accessory after the fact. Her attorney has argued that Hamilton never received a proper subpoena, explaining her absence from court.
With these new developments, prosecutors may seek to deny Hamilton bond unless she testifies about her role or lack of involvement in any witness tampering connected to the case.
