Justin Johnson was found guilty Thursday of murder in the death of rapper Young Dolph after a jury heard testimony from a co-defendant that the murder was part of a feud between rival record labels. received the verdict.
After deliberating for less than four hours, jurors found Johnson guilty of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Jennifer Mitchell sentenced Johnson to life in prison.
cornelius smith testified Rapper Yo Gotti's brother, Anthony “Big Joke” Mims, gives Young Dolph a $100,000 hit and rewards all artists on Young Dolph's record label, Paper Root Empire. was hanging. smith said he co-defendant johnson He set out on the morning of November 17, 2021, “looking for someone” and “didn't know who he would get. o”
They knew Young Dolph and some of his artists were participating in a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway, so they were heading in that direction when they saw Young Dolph's car. is. They followed him to a cookie shop in Memphis. fired in broad daylightsaid Smith. Young Dolph was hit 22 times and died at the scene.
Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman said in his opening statement: jury Young Dolph, real name Adolph Thornton Jr., was determined to succeed as an artist and with his own label.
“If you try to succeed on your own, you can create enemies,” Hagerman says.
He said that a rival record label founded by Yo Gotti, Cocaine Music Group (now known as Collective Music Group), wanted Young Dolph to work for them, but he declined. He pointed out. Young Dolph then wrote a diss track directed at the label and its artists, as well as the label's “Number 2” Big Joke. Big Juke was shot and killed outside a restaurant earlier this year.
In addition to Mr. Smith's testimony, prosecutors presented a large body of circumstantial evidence from surveillance cameras and Mr. Johnson's own cellphone.
Johnson has maintained his innocence, and defense attorney Luke Evans said in closing arguments that the video only proves that someone dressed similarly to Johnson shot Young Dolph. said. Evans told the jury that Smith would say anything to try to save him.
“Cornelius Smith lies from start to finish,” Evans said.
Smith is also charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder, and has pleaded not guilty.
Evans also noted that Smith's fingerprints, but not Johnson's, were found on the getaway car. Smith also said there was “no evidence that Justin Johnson ever received a penny,” although Smith received $800 before his arrest, and his attorney later testified that he received another $50,000.
Hagerman countered that video and cell phone evidence corroborated Smith's story. It also included a phone call between Smith and Johnson shortly before the murder, and a phone call between Johnson and Big Joke shortly after the murder.
Marcus Johnson also testified. Pleaded guilty in June 2023 He is charged with three counts of assisting Smith and his half-brother, Justin Johnson, with acting as an aide after they were killed. Jarmarcus Johnson admitted that he helped two people on the run from authorities communicate with each other by cell phone. He has not yet been sentenced.
Mr. Hernandez Govan, who Mr. Smith identified as his go-between with Mr. Big Juke, pleaded not guilty to organizing the killing.
Young Dolph began his career by releasing a number of mixtapes, starting with 2008's “Paper Root Campaign.” His multiple studio albums include his 2016 debut “King of Memphis.” He also collaborated on other mixtapes and albums with fellow rappers Key Glock, Megan Thee Stallion, T.I., Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, and more.
Young Dolph has had three albums reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200, with 2020's “Rich Slave” peaking at No. 4.
