Cortlen “YNW Bortlen” Henry has spoken publicly for the first time since accepting a plea deal that sentenced him to 10 years in prison and six years’ probation in connection with the 2018 killings of two YNW Collective members. The 26-year-old rapper is pushing back against claims that he cooperated with prosecutors against his co-defendant, YNW Melly.
Henry’s agreement, finalized on September 9, 2025—just a day before jury selection in his trial—saw him plead no contest to four lesser charges, including accessory after the fact to murder and witness tampering. In exchange, prosecutors dropped two first-degree murder charges that carried the potential of multiple life sentences. Judge Martin S. Fein credited Henry for time already served, drastically reducing the punishment from the five life sentences plus 75 additional years he initially faced.
Speculation has swirled online that Henry’s reduced sentence was tied to cooperation with the state. Hours after his plea, a jail call freestyle recording surfaced on social media, and he addressed those rumors directly.
“What the fuck I look like takin’ a deal that hurt my niggas? What the fuck I look like givin’ a fuck about how y’all feel? I’m a young fly nigga, beat back, they raisin’ hell, prevail. Damn, why they want a nigga to take that L? Don’t you know you can see the dirt from even speakin’ that L? This sport is foreign, ain’t a part of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. YNW’s failin’, this shit can’t never be stopped.” Henry rapped, dismissing accusations of disloyalty to Melly.
He followed up with another sharp line:
“Silly n**s. You f* n**s better stop playin’ on my top, like y’all know what the f* goin’ on, man. Hey, free me, email, b**** boys.”
The freestyle marks his first public response to what has become a divisive topic among fans and fellow artists.
Henry’s lawyer, Fred Haddad, reinforced his client’s position, telling reporters that the plea deal does not involve testifying against Melly.
“Let’s be clear. My client is not snitching,” Haddad said. “There is no agreement to testify against anyone. The State wanted information about my client’s involvement, and he provided that—nothing more.”
Haddad emphasized that a no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt and noted that any proffered statement from Henry would only concern his actions. Judge Fein also clarified in court that Henry’s responses “have no bearing on me and have no bearing on this negotiated resolution.”
The case traces back to October 2018, when Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas Jr. and Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams were fatally shot inside a vehicle prosecutors say Henry was driving. Authorities allege that Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, pulled the trigger, and that the pair staged the crime scene to resemble a drive-by shooting before taking the victims to a hospital.
Henry, arrested in February 2019 alongside Melly, was out on bond for several years before his October 2023 re-arrest on witness tampering charges tied to Melly’s first trial.
Melly’s initial trial ended in a mistrial in July 2023 after jurors could not agree on a verdict. His retrial has since been delayed multiple times and is now set for January 2027. He still faces two counts of first-degree murder and could receive life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted.
The family of YNW Juvy has already moved to depose Henry within the next 30 days, citing safety concerns and uncertainty over the details of his proffer agreement.
The high-profile case remains a flashpoint in hip-hop. Rapper Offset was among those fueling speculation about Henry’s role, posting on social media: “Damn, Melly getting snitched on by his best friend. Free that boy. He’s been locked up for way too long.”
Henry’s freestyle appears to be his way of pushing back on that narrative, insisting his decision to take a plea deal was about self-preservation, not betrayal. Nearly two years before Melly’s retrial, the case continues to loom as one of rap’s most closely watched legal dramas.
