UPDATED 10/4, 6:40 p.m. ET: YNW Melly has also been charged with witness tampering in connection with his double murder case that was declared a mistrial due to a hung jury earlier this year, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
The witness tampering charge was filed one day after YNW Bortlen was arrested on a similar charge.
While details regarding Melly's latest charge are unknown, Bortlen is accused of trying to prevent witnesses from being truthful, if they were to testify.
YNW Melly is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
See the original story below.
YNW Bortlen was arrested this week on a witness tampering warrant.
Per a report from the Sun Sentinel, Bortlen was take into custody in the Miami-Dade County area on Monday on an out-of-county warrant. The warrant alleges that Bortlen, born Cortlen Henry, engaged in witness tampering in connection with YNW Melly’s double murder trial earlier this year.
News of the arrest first hit social media with an update from journalist Bryson “Boom” Paul, who later noted that Bortlen was in custody at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami as of Tuesday.
Complex has reached out to the Miami-Dade Police Department, as well as to Bortlen’s lawyer. This story may be updated.
In July, the case against Melly—accused in the murders of YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy—was declared a mistrial. Melly had pleaded not guilty in the case.
“After further discussions, reviewing the evidence, and speaking freely amongst the jurors, we are still unable to reach a unanimous decision,” a statement from the jury said.
Related Stories
YNW Bortlen Released on House Arrest Following Bond Hearing, Victim's Family Responds
When news of YNW Bortlen’s release became public, the family of the victim, YNW Juvy, released a statement expressing their disappointment with the decision.
YNW Melly Denied Bond by Judge Ahead of Double Murder Retrial
The Florida rapper has remained behind bars since February 2019, as he faces two charges of first-degree murder.
YNW Melly Murder Case: Juror Speaks Out About Mistrial, Says Most Were in Favor of Guilty Verdict
Last week, it was confirmed that prosecutors would be retrying the double murder case, which focuses on two killings in 2018.
A rep for the Broward County State Attorney’s Office later confirmed that Melly's case was being retried. Bortlen, meanwhile, is being tried separately as Melly's alleged accomplice in the killings. According to reports, Bortlen is alleged to have violated the conditions of his release by telling a witness "she would be driving a pink BMW" if she did not cooperate with law enforcement.
Melly was denied bond last month ahead of his double murder retrial. Per a Broward County judge's order, the prior mistrial "does not alter the nation or weight of the evidence of Defendant’s guilt.”
