YNW Bortlen, a co-defendant in the double murder case involving rapper YNW Melly, has been offered a plea deal by Florida prosecutors that could significantly reduce his prison time. The offer comes in connection with the 2018 slayings of fellow YNW crew members Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams and Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas Jr.
On September 4, prosecutors in Broward County proposed to dismiss two first-degree murder charges against Bortlen if he pleads no contest to six other felony counts. These include accessory after the fact, conspiracy, witness tampering, and engaging in gang-related activity.
If Bortlen accepts the agreement, he would be sentenced to 16 years and three months in prison, with all sentences running concurrently and credit for time already served. By rejecting the deal, he risks multiple life sentences if convicted on the original charges at trial.
In court, Judge Martin S. Fein outlined the terms and stressed that the decision was solely Bortlen’s. “This is a business decision between you, your lawyers, and the state,” Fein stated, assuring him there was no pressure from the court.
Bortlen is required to announce his decision at a hearing on September 9. Should he decline the offer, jury selection for his trial is scheduled to begin the following day.
The high-profile case centers on allegations that YNW Melly was the gunman in the fatal shooting. Prosecutors claim Bortlen drove the victims to a remote location, where Melly allegedly shot them, and then helped stage the crime to appear as a drive-by shooting.
YNW Melly, who has been incarcerated since 2019, saw his first trial end in a mistrial. His retrial has been postponed to January 2027, and a federal judge recently denied his request for release pending the new trial.
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