YNW Bortlen, born Cortlen Henry, was granted $75,000 bond and house arrest this week, leaving fans of incarcerated rapper YNW Melly hoping for his own imminent release. There are reports that a lack of evidence could point to the artist's release happening sooner rather than later but, according to an attorney for YNW Bortlen, that's simply not the case.
If you've been hoping for the prompt release of 21-year-old Melly, you shouldn't be getting your hopes up, according to attorney John M. Phillips.
After sharing legal documents that confirmed YNW Bortlen's bond, the lawyer sent a message to YNW Melly fans, telling them that they're not thinking straight if they think he's coming home soon.
"The Melly fans thinking he’s getting released are beyond delusional," tweeted Phillips. "He’s not getting released unless a jury says so and there is evidence he killed these young men in cold blood. Whether you like his music or not, these families deserve justice."
So, there you have it. Apparently, there wasn't sufficient evidence against YNW Bortlen but his friend YNW Melly did not get the same luck.
The rapper is currently facing the death penalty. He is set for trial later this year, where a jury will determine his fate.
YNW Melly Responds To His Accomplice Posting Bond
YNW Melly celebrates his accomplice YNW Bortlen posting bond and says he’s next to come home.
21-year-old Florida native YNW Melly has been incarcerated for over one year, awaiting his trial for double murder charges. The rapper is accused of pulling the trigger on two of his friends and collaborators, YNW Juvy and YNW Sakchaser, before telling the police they were shot in a drive-by.
Another one of Melly’s associates, YNW Bortlen, has officially posted $75,000 bond and it looks like the famous rapper is next to be free. He reacted to his accomplice’s impending return home on Instagram.
Broward’s Sheriff’s Office Getty Images
“My brudda bout to jump,” wrote the “Murder On My Mind” artist, reacting to his friend’s legal win. “@ynw.bortlen I’ll be home soon.”
Members of YNW Melly’s family, including his mother, have been claiming for months that it’s almost time for the rapper to return home. He was recently diagnosed with COVID-19 while in prison, but even that wasn’t enough for him to be freed. He was kept in jail as he is believed to be a danger to society.
Without much hard evidence, it looks like there is a possibility that YNW Melly posts bond in the near future. Upon his arrest, he was charged with double murder and given a maximum sentence of the death penalty.
Do you hope he gets to come home?
Boosie Badazz Shares Why YNW Melly Won’t Be Released, Even With COVID-19
Boosie Badazz gave his opinion on why he doesn’t think YNW Melly will be released from prison, even following his COVID-19 diagnosis.
Despite reportedly testing positive for COVID-19, YNW Melly remains incarcerated. The young rapper was arrested last year after authorities claim he was involved in a plot to kill two of his associates. YNW Melly was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, but weeks ago, news surfaced that the 20-year-old had contracted coronavirus while behind bars.
Bryan Bedder / Staff / Getty Images
Melly’s legal team filed paperwork asking for the rapper to be released from prison to help treat his condition, but their petition was denied. Melly seemed to have even reached out to Kanye West following reports that he was being treated with Gatorade and Tylenol, most likely to gain assistance from Kim Kardashian and her prison reform team. Boosie Badazz recently sat down with VladTV and talked about the virus and why he believes YNW Melly won’t be freed.
“When you silent, if you not working for them, if you silent, they will deteriorate your health,” Boosie said. “They will do anything.” The rapper also said that he believes that authorities were “f*cking with [his] medicine” when he was previously locked up. Boosie Badazz claims that inmates who choose not to cooperate with authorities are guaranteed to be mistreated while behind bars. “They gon’ have it hard in there bro,” Boosie said.
Check out Boosie Badazz give his opinion on COVID-19 below and see why this is all familiar to him because it’s been the plot of plenty of films.
NLE Choppa Thinks YNW Melly Should Be Free Instead Of 6ix9ine
NLE Choppa takes issue with YNW Melly's request for early prison release getting denied, while "the rat", Tekashi 6ix9ine, gets to roam free.
NLE Choppa has decided to chime in on the coronavirus prison release discourse in regards to famous rappers: if you're going to free Tekashi 6ix9ine, you've got to free YNW Melly as well. The spread of coronavirus has led many prison inmates to request early release or alternate accommodations to lower their chances of contraction, including many incarcerated celebrities. Bill Cosby and R. Kelly are among some of the scorned stars that have been denied early release, along with Florida rapper, YNW Melly.
Broward's Sheriff's Office Getty Images
As he awaits his double murder trial for allegedly killing two of his friends, Melly has been kept behind bars, where it was reported he recently tested positive for coronavirus. He requested to be released due to these unforeseen circumstances, but was told to stay put. His condition has reportedly not improved much at all, as he has only been "treated" with Tylenol and Gatorade. He even reached out to his past collaborator, Kanye West, for help Twitter, but so far has received no response. It looks like NLE Choppa caught wind of this whole situation, and expressed just how he feels about YNW Melly remaining in prison while another rapper, Tekashi 6ix9ine, was granted early release.
"They need to free Melly trifling ass shit," Choppa tweeted on Friday. "But y’all gone free the rat." The "rat," of course, refers to 6ix9ine, due to all the snitching he did on members of the Nine Trey Bloods in court. 6ix9ine was recently transferred to house arrest due to coronavirus concerns after spending time in prison on racketeering charges, a move that caused a major uproar in the hip hop scene.
How do you feel about Choppa's stance?
YNW Melly Asks Kanye West For Help
YNW Melly puts out a public call to his collaborator Kanye West for help.
One of YNW Melly's most popular songs of all time is "Mixed Personalities," which features the legendary Kanye West. The two had been working together in the studio mere months before the Florida rapper was arrested and charged with the double murder of his two friends. While they do not appear to have had more than a few studio sessions, Melly is trying his hardest to get out of prison after testing positive for COVID-19. He has decided that, if the court is going to deny his release, he'll go to other means.
YNW Melly hit Twitter last night with a public cry for help, sending Kanye West a singular tweet that shows how desperate the star is.
"@kanyewest need your help Dm," wrote the 20-year-old rapper.
Melvin was not clear on what he needed help with. However, many of his fans believe that he is asking West to flex his friendship with Donald Trump one more time, vouching for him so he can be released ahead of his trial.
After all, Kanye West did speak with Trump about A$AP Rocky's situation in Sweden. Do you think he'll pull through and give the White House a call for Melly?
In other news pertaining to the incarcerated rapper, his health condition appears to have remained the same since last week as he is still showing harsh symptoms related to the coronavirus, including chills and a high temperature.
YNW Melly Coronavirus Update
YNW Melly tested positive for COVID-19 and his condition has reportedly not improved much.
Florida rapper YNW Melly tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) during the wait for his double murder trial and, despite his pleas to be released because of his illness, he is being forced to remain behind bars. His alleged victims’ families are not interested in seeing him get out of jail, but it appears as though he is being treated unfairly in his cell.
As reported by TMZ, the rapper’s health condition has not improved much since the last statement from his legal representatives. He reportedly still has a high temperature and chills, especially at night, and is being given Tylenol and Gatorade to feel better. Melly’s cellmate has also tested positive for the coronavirus and they are being isolated away from each other. However, jail staff is apparently supposed to check on the rapper every hour, which is something they are being accused of ignoring.
Broward’s Sheriff’s Office Getty Images
In addition, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office has said previously that if an inmate is showing signs of COVID-19, they would be transferred to a hospital. That was not the case with YNW Melly, who is still in prison.
The rapper’s condition was said to include heavy breathing, body aches, and severe weight loss. According to his lawyer, Melly weighs a mere 114 pounds right now.
We will keep you updated on his condition.
Man Released From Jail Due To COVID-19, Suspected Of Murder 24 Hours Later
Joseph Williams was released from jail after being arrested on drug charges, but within 24 hours, he was back in custody on suspicion of murder.
Like many other states, Florida has implemented its own strategy to deal with its inmate population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Outside of prison walls, people are being told to stay home, social distance, rigorously wash their hands, and wear face masks if they interact with the public. Inside, precautions are reportedly being taken, but a few inmates are finding themselves with early release dates. Some, like Tekashi 6ix9ine, have been allowed to serve out their sentences at home. Others, like YNW Melly who also reported contracted COVID-19, are forced to remain behind bars.
Joseph Williams, a 26-year-old man from Florida, was reportedly arrested back on March 13. He faced charges associated with drug possession, and six days after he was taken into custody, he was released to help hinder the spread of coronavirus. According to authorities, it only took 24 hours for Williams to be rearrested as a suspect in a homicide.
Gunshots were heard in a Tampa neighborhood on March 20 and when police arrived at the scene, they found a deceased man. An investigation led authorities to Joseph Williams who is now being held without bond. Williams is facing charges of second-degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm, and resisting an officer, along with his previous drug possession and drug paraphernalia charges.
"There is no question Joseph Williams took advantage of this health emergency to commit crimes while he was out of jail awaiting resolution of a low-level, non-violent offense," Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "Every murder, every violent crime, especially those involving a gun, is a sickening example of the worst in our community, especially at a time when our community is working relentlessly to fight against the spread of this deadly COVID-19."
"Judges, prosecutors, and Sheriffs around the country are facing difficult decisions during this health crisis with respect to balancing public health and public safety," said Chronister. "Sheriffs in Florida and throughout our country have released non-violent, low-level offenders to protect our deputies and the jail population from an outbreak."
YNW Melly Ordered To Remain In Prison Despite Contracting COVID-19
YNW Melly has contracted coronavirus in prison as he awaits his double murder trial.
YNW Melly will have to stay behind bars, even though he allegedly tested positive for coronavirus. TMZ reports that a judge has finally ruled on his request to be released from prison as he awaits trial for his double murder case. The judge ultimately denied his motion and ordered the rapper to stay inside Broward County Jail.
Weeks earlier, his mother initially stated that coronavirus had prevented his release, but just a few weeks after that, his lawyer revealed that he had tested positive for coronavirus. The rapper had been suffering from symptoms relating to the virus such as fever, heavy breathing, body pains, and headaches. He had pleaded with the judge to release him on house arrest, even offering to pay to be accepted into a medical facility. Melly argued that the prison facilities weren’t well equipped with adequate protection and care to treat him.
If Melly does want to get medical treatment in jail, the judge did say that he can speak to the Broward Sheriff’s Office for arrangements.
Melly’s lawyer previously issued a statement after the rapper had tested positive, claiming that the “223” rapper was dying behind bars. The rapper is still feeling the symptoms of the coronavirus, according to sources close to the rapper, especially the difficulties with his breathing. We’ll keep you posted on anymore updates.
YNW Melly’s Alleged Victims’ Families Want Him To Stay In Jail
YNW Melly’s alleged victims’ families don’t believe that the rapper’s COVID-19 diagnosis should result in his early release from jail.
For the last year and a bit, Florida rapper YNW Melly has been waiting behind bars for his double murder trial to begin. He has been accused of pulling the trigger on two of his close friends, YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy. The recording artist revealed that he had been infected by COVID-19 while incarcerated, using his positive test as an excuse to get him sent home. Detailing his dramatic weight loss and claiming that he’s perishing away in jail, YNW Melly’s legal team is trying hard to get him free. However, the families of his alleged victims aren’t exactly open to seeing him come back home.
According to new legal documents obtained by TMZ, the family of Christopher Thomas, one of YNW Melly’s alleged victims, says that the rapper should not be let out of jail because they believe he will be a threat to them and other witnesses. The family notes how difficult it has been to see streaming services continue to promote two songs that are believed to reference the killings: “Murder on my Mind” and “Two Face.”
Broward’s Sheriff’s Office Getty Images
The family of Anthony Williams, another alleged victim of YNW Melly, is on board with keeping the star behind bars as well.
“While our firm and the family of Anthony Williams’ sympathize with anyone affected by COVID-19, we do not believe this justifies pretrial release. He needs to remain in custody until a jury decides his fate,” they state their lawyer.
Do you think coronavirus is enough to free YNW Melly?
YNW Melly Claims He’s Dying Of Coronavirus In Prison
Following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, YNW Melly’s team is concerned that he may lose his life to the coronavirus if he remains incarcerated.
The coronavirus has wreaked havoc on the prison system in a major way, and incarcerated rapper YNW Melly recently confirmed that he had indeed tested positive for COVID-19. At the time, his family released a statement his IG page, writing that “Melly has tested positive for COVID-19 today while awaiting his trial in Broward County Jail. He’ll be filing a motion for restricted release in hopes of better care due to any jails not being prepared to treat this new virus. He hopes for your support and to recover soon #prayformelly send positive energy to him please.”
Now, TMZ has confirmed that Melly’s condition has further deteriorated to the point where it sounds especially dire. Citing legal documents from Melly’s attorney Bradford Cohen, it’s said that the young rapper has been experiencing “severe chills, heavy labored breathing, headaches, and body aches,” all while weighing a mere 114 pounds. The matter is made worse by the fact that Melly hasn’t been receiving proper attention from medical staff, who are said to be underprepared to begin with.
“They have not given them masks, or cleaning supplies that would be beneficial regarding his recovery,” writes Cohen’s legal letter. “This is against all recommendations of the Surgeon General and CDC.” As such, the team is moving for Melly to be placed on house arrest as to better mend his ailing condition, which TMZ warns is running the risk of proving fatal. As of now, the situation has yet to develop further. It’s unclear whether the judge will ultimately grant the leniency they seek, though given the unexpected circumstances, anything feels possible at the moment.