Who is YNW Bortlen? YNW Melly’s co-defendant resorts to plea deal to avoid jailtime over double murder case

Rapper YNW Melly’s co-defendant, YNW Bortlen, has accepted a plea deal just before the jury selection in his trial was about to begin, Hot 97 notes. The case refers to the murders of YNW Juvy and YNW Sakchaser in 2018, in which Bortlen was implicated.

Bortlen and YNW Melly were arrested in 2019. Although the former was released on bond a year later, he was re-arrested in 2023 for compromising a witness. He was charged with first-degree murder on two counts, using a weapon, being an accessory on two counts, and witness tampering.

According to IMDb, born on January 24, 1999, YNW Bortlen’s real name is Cortlen Malik Henry. He also had an acting career. Some of his works are YNW Bortlen: Been Thru, YNW Bortlen: What It Cost, among others. He also has a sibling, Chloe Henry.

With the acceptance of the plea deal, he cannot dispute the accessory charge, and he also accepted the count of tampering with a witness; certain allegations pertaining to the murder, and one count of witness tampering will be dismissed. In a statement to Pitchfork, his attorney, Joseph E. “Joe” Nascimento, said:

“It’s important to note that Cortlen pled no contest today, so he has not admitted anything. There is no requirement or expectation that he cooperates with the prosecution against his co-defendant in the case, nor do I anticipate that he will be called as a witness by either side, so his plea should not be construed as an admission of any kind, nor can it be used against him or anybody else.”

Nascimento said that Bortlen decided to accept the plea deal as it would serve him in his best interest. It also prevents a life sentence.

What did John M. Phillips say about YNW Bortlen and YNW Melly’s case?

YNW Bortlen is required to extend his help and cooperation to the ongoing investigation. According to Complex, Juvy’s legal representative, John M. Phillips, shared his thoughts about the plea deal in an X post on September 10, saying:

“As predicted, YNW Bortlen took the plea deal. He also agreed to a proffer, which means he’s talking. The sentence is to accessory after the fact and he will do 10 years plus 6 on probation minus any credit and gain time. We’ve already requested his deposition in the civil case.”

On the other hand, YNW Melly’s case ended in a mistrial and is to begin again in 2027. Speaking to Complex, Phillips said he knew what happened because he was in the car, but did not fire the gun. After years, he finally chose to plead no contest, which meant he accepted some responsibility even though he wasn’t the shooter.

Phillips said this was important for the civil case because now Henry couldn’t refuse to answer questions by invoking the Fifth Amendment. Even though Henry had agreed in writing to cooperate, Phillips still worried because once sentencing was done, there was no pressure left to make him help more.

Phillips believed that if Henry was asked whether Melly ever left the car or if Melly was sitting behind him when the shooting happened, a jury would see him struggle to answer, and he would eventually admit Melly was there.

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