Memphis man gets life sentence for killing rapper Young Dolph

Justin Johnson has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of rapper Young Dolph, following a jury’s verdict on Thursday. The conviction came after a trial where a co-defendant testified that the shooting stemmed from a feud between rival record labels.

Jurors deliberated for nearly four hours before finding Johnson guilty on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Jennifer Mitchell imposed the life sentence, emphasizing the severity of the crime.

During the trial, Cornelius Smith, who is also charged in connection with the murder, testified that Anthony “Big Jook” Mims, the brother of rapper Yo Gotti, had placed a $100,000 bounty on Young Dolph’s head. According to Smith, both he and Johnson set out on the morning of November 17, 2021, with the intent to find and confront someone, although they did not initially know who their target would be.

Smith described how they learned that Young Dolph would be at a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event. Upon spotting Young Dolph’s car, they followed him to a cookie shop in Memphis, where they opened fire in broad daylight. Tragically, Young Dolph was struck 22 times and succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman outlined in his opening statements how Young Dolph was a determined artist aiming to succeed independently with his label, Paper Route Empire. Hagerman noted that his success had created animosity, particularly with the rival Cocaine Muzik Group, founded by Yo Gotti. The prosecutor pointed out that Young Dolph had declined offers to join their label and had even released diss tracks targeting Yo Gotti and Big Jook.

In addition to Smith’s testimony, the prosecution presented substantial circumstantial evidence, including surveillance footage and data from Johnson’s cell phone. Although Johnson maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty, defense attorney Luke Evans argued that the videos only depicted someone wearing similar clothing to Johnson and asserted that Smith’s testimony was fabricated to save himself.

“Cornelius Smith is lying from start to finish,” Evans claimed, emphasizing that Smith had not been truthful during his testimony. Smith’s fingerprints were found on the getaway vehicle, while Johnson’s were not, and Evans highlighted the absence of evidence that Johnson received any financial benefit from the murder plot.

Prosecutor Hagerman countered Evans’ assertions, presenting evidence that linked Johnson to the crime. He pointed out that phone records showed communications between Smith and Johnson shortly before the shooting, as well as a call between Johnson and Big Jook immediately after the incident.

Another key witness was Jermarcus Johnson, who pleaded guilty in June 2023 to charges of being an accessory after the fact. He admitted to facilitating communication between Smith and Justin Johnson while they were evading law enforcement. Jermarcus Johnson has not yet been sentenced.

Hernandez Govan, another individual implicated in the case, has pleaded not guilty to orchestrating the killing.

Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., had built a successful career in the music industry, releasing numerous mixtapes and albums. He began his journey in 2008 with “Paper Route Campaign” and achieved significant recognition with his studio albums, including the acclaimed “King of Memphis.” His 2020 album “Rich Slave” reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in the hip-hop community.

The tragic loss of Young Dolph continues to resonate, not only with his fans but also within the industry, highlighting the ongoing issues of violence and rivalry in the world of music. As Johnson begins his life sentence, the case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of such conflicts, both for artists and their communities.