A major development has surfaced in the high-profile case surrounding YNW Melly. His co-defendant, Cortlen “YNW Bortlen” Henry, has accepted a plea deal just one day before jury selection was set to begin in his trial for the 2018 murders of Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas Jr. and Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams.
Henry had originally been facing two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm, two counts of accessory after the fact, and separate charges tied to a 2023 witness tampering case. With the plea agreement, the murder charges were dropped, and instead, Henry pleaded no contest to the accessory charges and two counts in the witness tampering case. He will now serve 10 years in prison followed by six years of probation. As part of the deal, Henry has also agreed to provide future information to prosecutors.
Attorney John M. Phillips, who represents the family of YNW Sakchaser, reacted to the news on social media. “As predicted, YNW Bortlen took the plea deal. He also agreed to a proffer—which means he’s talking. We’ve already requested his deposition in the civil case,” Phillips stated.
Henry was originally charged alongside YNW Melly, who remains behind bars while awaiting retrial. Melly’s first trial in 2023 ended in a mistrial after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict. He continues to face two counts of first-degree murder and is being held at Broward County Jail until retrial proceedings begin in January 2027.
Melly, best known for his viral 2018 hit “Murder on My Mind,” recently sought to replace his defense team with veteran attorneys Drew Findling and Carey Haughwout after one of his lawyers came under criminal investigation. He has also previously alleged that he has been subjected to inhumane conditions while incarcerated.