YNW Bortlen, whose real name is Cortlen Henry, has reached a plea agreement in connection with the 2018 double homicide that also left his longtime friend and collaborator YNW Melly facing a possible death sentence. The case, which has gripped the hip-hop community for more than five years, took a major turn as prosecutors dropped several of the most serious charges against Henry in exchange for his cooperation.
Under the deal, Henry pleaded no contest to one count of tampering with a witness, two counts of being an accessory to a capital felony, and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device. In return, prosecutors dismissed multiple high-level charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, another count of witness tampering, and directing the activities of a criminal gang.
Henry, 26, will be required to provide prosecutors with a sworn statement detailing his role in the events surrounding the deaths of Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams and Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas Jr. in October 2018. However, his attorney, Fred Haddad, clarified that Henry will not be required to testify against YNW Melly, whose legal name is Jamell Demons.
As part of his sentence, Henry received 10 years in prison, with four years credited for time served, leaving six more years behind bars. Once released, he will serve an additional six years of probation.
Meanwhile, YNW Melly remains the central figure in the case. The rapper faces life in prison or the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder. His initial trial in 2023 ended in a mistrial, and a retrial is now scheduled for early 2027.
The plea deal represents a pivotal moment in a high-profile case that has entangled two rising rap stars and drawn nationwide attention.
Source: YouTube
