Justin Johnson was found guilty of murder in the death of rapper Young Dolph after the jury heard testimony from a co-defendant that the killing was part of a feud between rival record labels. Johnson was convicted of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and being a felon in possession of a gun. He was sentenced to life in prison by Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Jennifer Mitchell. Cornelius Smith testified that Yo Gotti’s brother, Anthony “Big Jook” Mims, had put out a hit on Young Dolph, leading to the tragic shooting that took Young Dolph’s life.
Smith revealed that he and Johnson set out looking for somebody on the morning of Nov. 17, 2021, not knowing who their target would be. They encountered Young Dolph’s car while he was participating in a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway and followed him to a Memphis cookie shop, where they opened fire in broad daylight. Young Dolph was hit 22 times and died at the scene. Prosecutors presented a mountain of circumstantial evidence, including surveillance footage and Johnson’s cell phone data, to support Smith’s testimony.
Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman stated that Young Dolph wanted to make it on his own as an artist and with his record label Paper Route Empire, which led to creating enemies in the industry. Young Dolph turned down offers from rival record label Collective Music Group, founded by Yo Gotti, and later wrote diss tracks directed at that label and its artists. Smith’s testimony was corroborated by evidence that included calls between him and Johnson before the killing and a call between Johnson and Big Jook immediately after. Both Johnson and Smith have pleaded not guilty to their charges.
Defense attorney Luke Evans argued that the videos presented as evidence only showed someone wearing similar clothing to Johnson committing the crime and accused Smith of lying to save himself. Evans pointed out that Smith’s fingerprints were found in the getaway car but not Johnson’s and highlighted the lack of proof that Johnson received any money for the killing, unlike Smith who claimed to have received $800. Another co-defendant, Jermarcus Johnson, pleaded guilty to serving as an accessory after the killing by assisting Smith and Justin Johnson and has not been sentenced.
Hernandez Govan, who was identified as a go-between with Big Jook, has pleaded not guilty to organizing the killing. Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., had a successful career in the rap industry with multiple mixtapes and studio albums. His music collaborations with various artists, as well as his solo work, helped him reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart multiple times. While Young Dolph faced challenges in the industry, his independent spirit and dedication to his own label made him a respected figure in the hip-hop community. His untimely death was a tragic end to a promising career.
Despite the defense’s attempts to dispute the evidence presented, the testimonies and corroborating data pointed towards Johnson’s involvement in the premeditated killing of the beloved rapper. With life in prison as his sentence, Johnson will now face the consequences of his actions. The trial shed light on the dangers and rivalries within the music industry, highlighting the price some artists pay for staying true to their vision and independence. The legacy of Young Dolph as an artist and entrepreneur will continue to inspire future generations in the hip-hop world.
