The double murder retrial of rapper YNW Melly (Jamal Demons) has taken a catastrophic turn as his co-defendant, YNW Bortlen (Courtland Henry), accepted a major plea deal and a “proffer agreement,” which legal analysts believe means he has flipped on Melly.

Bortlen pled no contest to both counts of accessory after the fact, tampering with a witness, and other charges, ultimately receiving a sentence of 10 years in Florida state prison, drastically reducing his maximum exposure from multiple life sentences. The terms of the plea, however, are devastating to Melly’s defense. Legal experts like DJ Akademiks and defense attorney Bradford Cohen state that by pleading to accessory after the fact, Bortlen must now provide a factual basis—meaning he must confirm that a murder took place and, by extension, confirm the identity of the person he helped cover for, which would only leave Melly as the suspect in the car.

The prosecution wasted no time in obtaining Bortlen’s deposition, publicly expressing fear for his safety given his cooperation. This move comes as Melly’s legal team attempts to secure a bond release ahead of the now-delayed trial date in January 2027—a decision that hinges almost entirely on the details Bortlen reveals.

The Smoking Gun Evidence

The prosecution’s existing case against Melly is already overwhelming, and Bortlen’s testimony is expected to close any remaining gaps:

The Debunked Drive-By: In his initial police interrogation, Bortlen maintained that the victims were shot in a drive-by. However, police investigators quickly debunked this story, revealing that a thorough search of the alleged crime scene yielded no shell casings, broken glass, or any evidence to support Bortlen’s claim that a car-to-car shooting occurred.
Melly’s Alleged Confession: Hours after the murders, Melly’s account allegedly sent a text message to an associate that read, “i did that,” accompanied by a smiley face emoji. The text exchange, which has been entered into evidence, strongly suggests guilt just hours after the crime.
Security Footage: Security camera footage obtained by investigators places Melly in the back left seat of the Jeep shortly before the victims, YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy, were found deceased. Ballistics reports indicate that the fatal shots traveled from left to right, supporting the claim that they originated from the rear driver’s side seat where Melly was positioned.

Witness Tampering and Suppression

Adding to the complexity, the legal drama has been consumed by allegations that Melly has been actively working to tamper with witnesses from behind bars.

The Girlfriend’s Arrest: Melly’s girlfriend, Mariah Hamilton, was arrested by U.S. border patrol agents upon her return to the country after spending three years overseas. Prosecutors allege Melly tampered with her, making her leave the country to prevent her from testifying against him in the first trial. She has since been compelled to agree to testify in the upcoming retrial for her own release.
Bortlen’s Tampering Charges: Bortlen himself faced new charges of witness tampering after notes and drawings of the jury seating arrangement were allegedly found during a raid on his home. This highly illegal act, which was publicly criticized as “sloppy” by commentators, pushed Bortlen to choose the plea deal over facing life in prison for the tampering charges alongside the murder case.
Jail Restrictions: In response to these repeated tampering attempts, jail authorities have severely restricted Melly’s communication, holding his mail and denying him telephone privileges—a measure his mother passionately argues is inhumane, but which prosecutors defend as necessary to prevent further obstruction of justice.

With Bortlen now cooperating, the prosecution has an insider willing to provide the “factual story” that links all the circumstantial evidence together. The focus now shifts to what specific details Bortlen reveals about the night of the crime and whether Melly’s defense can overcome the twin blows of a flipping co-defendant and the mountain of physical and digital evidence.