Justin Johnson was found guilty of manslaughter in the death of rapper Young Dolph on Thursday after a jury heard testimony from a co-defendant that the killing was part of a dispute between record labels.
Jurors deliberated for less than four hours before finding 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 that rapper Yo Gotti’s brother, Anthony “Big Jook” Mims, made a $100,000 hit to Young Dolph and also benefited all the artists on Young Dolph’s record label, the Paper Route Empire. Smith said he and defendant Johnson went out on the morning of November 17, 2021, “looking for somebody” and “not knowing who we were going to catch.”
They knew that Young Dolph and his fellow artists were participating in a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway, so they were headed that way when they saw Young Dolph’s car. They followed him to a bakery in Memphis and opened fire at the bar, Smith said. Young Dolph was hit 22 times and died at the scene.
Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman, in opening statements, told jurors that Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., was determined to make it for himself as an artist, and for his label.
“Trying to do it yourself can create enemies,” Hagerman said.
He mentioned that Cocaine Muzik Group (known as Collective Music Group), a rival record label founded by Yo Gotti, wanted Young Dolph to work for them, but he refused. Young Dolph later wrote diss songs directed at the label, its artists, and “number two,” Big Jook. Big Jook was shot and killed outside a restaurant earlier this year.
In addition to Smith’s testimony, prosecutors presented a wealth of other evidence including surveillance cameras and Johnson’s cell phone.
Johnson pleaded not guilty, and defense attorney Luke Evans said in closing arguments that the videos only proved that someone dressed like Johnson shot Young Dolph. Evans told Judge Smith that he would say anything to try to save himself.
Another suspect is charged with murder
“Cornelius Smith lies from beginning to end,” Evans said.
Smith is charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder and has pleaded not guilty.
Evans also noted that Smith’s fingerprints were found on the getaway car but Johnson’s. And he said there was “no evidence that Justin Johnson got a dime,” while Smith testified that he got $800 before he was arrested and his defense attorney later got another $50,000.
Hagerman denied that video and cell phone evidence supported Smith’s story. They included phone calls between Smith and Johnson shortly before the assassination and a phone call between Johnson and Big Jook immediately afterward.
Also testifying was Jermarcus Johnson, who pleaded guilty in June 2023 to three counts of acting as an accessory after the fact for helping Smith and Justin Johnson, his half-brother. Jermarcus Johnson admitted that he helped the pair communicate by cell phone while they were on the run from authorities. He has not been sentenced.
Hernandez Govan, who Smith identified as a liaison with Big Jook, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit murder.
Young Dolph began his career by releasing several mixtapes, starting in 2008. Paper Route Campaign. His most recent studio albums include his 2016 debut King of Memphis. He has also collaborated on other mixtapes and albums with other rappers Key Glock, Megan Thee Stallion, TI, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz and others.
Young Dolph had three albums reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200, and 2020’s. The Rich Slave up to No. 4.
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