Rapper YNW Bortlen (real name: Cortlen Henry), was granted release on bond in Broward County, Florida yesterday (May 23). One of Henry’s attorneys John M. Phillips announced the news in a tweet earlier this evening, stating that “Jamell Demons aka @YNWMelly’s co-defendant Cortlen Henry aka @YNWBortlen was granted bond and house arrest.” Phillips clarified that YNW Melly remains in jail until trial. He also provided images of court documents outlining Henry’s bond. “The Defendant’s bond shall be secured, by collateral, in the form of real property and/or other tangible person property, having sufficient net asset value in excess of Ninety Thousand ($90,000.00) dollars,” the document reads. Find Phillips’ full post below.
Demons and Henry were arrested in February 2019 and charged with two counts of first-degree murder (Henry was also charged with two counts of accessory after the fact). The victims were two members of Demons’ own YNW crew: Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams, 21, and Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas Jr., 19.
In March 2019, both Henry and Demons pled not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder. Demons was recently denied request for release from Broward County Jail after testing positive for COVID-19 while in custody.
Read Pitchfork’s explainer “YNW Melly Is Charged With the Murder of Two Friends. What Happened?”
Pitchfork has reached out to Henry’s attorneys John M. Phillips and Fred Haddad, as well as the Broward County Clerk of Courts for further comment.
