YNW Bortlen accepted a plea deal within the 2018 double homicide case involving YNW Melly and can now present a sworn assertion.

YNW Bortlen pleaded no contest to prices tied to the 2018 killings of two aspiring rappers and agreed to supply a sworn assertion concerning the incident, marking a serious improvement within the ongoing homicide case involving YNW Melly.

Bortlen, whose actual identify is Cortlen Henry, prevented a potential life sentence by accepting a plea deal for accent to homicide on Tuesday (September 9) in Broward County.

The 26-year-old was sentenced to 10 years in jail, with four years already served, and will serve six years on probation after his release.

The plea ends a big chapter within the case involving the deaths of Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams and Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas Jr., who were shot and killed in October 2018.

Prosecutors say the crime scene was staged to appear like a drive-by capturing.

“Henry will not be required to testify against Melly, his longtime friend, as part of the negotiated plea,” mentioned Henry’s lawyer, Fred Haddad. However, he confirmed that Bortlen “will provide a sworn statement explaining his role in the murders.”

The case started when 4 members of the YNW crew drove to a recording studio in Fort Lauderdale. Surveillance video captured Henry behind the wheel of a Jeep, with Melly seated behind him and the 2 victims on the passenger facet.

Hours later, Henry arrived at Memorial Hospital in Miramar and advised employees that his buddies had been shot in a drive-by. Both Williams and Thomas had been pronounced lifeless. Melly was not current.

Forensic specialists later testified that the gunfire got here from contained in the automobile, particularly from the seat behind the motive force, the place Melly had been sitting.

Prosecutors consider the killings stemmed from inside battle inside the YNW collective, presumably linked to gang exercise and cash disputes.

Melly, whose authorized identify is Jamell Demons, faces the demise penalty or life in jail if convicted of first-degree homicide. His first trial in 2023 resulted in a mistrial after jurors failed to achieve a unanimous verdict.

The case has been slowed down by accusations of witness tampering and misconduct.

Melly’s retrial is set for early 2027, following his request last month to replace his legal team due to alleged conflicts created by the prosecution.

Related