On Thursday, Justin Johnson was found guilty of murder in connection to the death of rapper Young Dolph by a jury that heard testimony from a co-defendant about a rivalry between record labels. The jurors took just under four hours to convict Johnson of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Jennifer Mitchell sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Cornelius Smith testified that Anthony “Big Jook” Mims, brother of rapper Yo Gotti, had put out a $100,000 hit on Young Dolph and offered bounties for all the artists at his record label, Paper Route Empire. Smith claimed he and co-defendant Johnson set out on the morning of November 17th, 2021, to find someone to target, but they did not know whom they were going to catch.
Smith said they knew that Young Dolph and some of his artists were participating in a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event, so they headed in that direction when they spotted Young Dolph’s car. They followed him to a Memphis cookie shop where they opened fire on him in broad daylight. Young Dolph was hit 22 times and died at the scene.
Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman told jurors that Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., had intended to make it as an artist on his own, as well as with his own label. He noted that Cocaine Muzik Group (now known as Collective Music Group), a rival record label founded by Yo Gotti, wanted Young Dolph to work for them, but he refused. In response, Young Dolph wrote diss tracks directed at the label, its artists, and its “number two person,” Big Jook. Big Jook was later shot and killed outside a restaurant earlier this year.
In addition to Smith’s testimony, prosecutors presented a wealth of circumstantial evidence, including surveillance camera footage and data from Johnson’s cell phone. Johnson had pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his defense attorney Luke Evans claimed that the videos only prove that someone wearing clothing similar to Johnson shot Young Dolph. He argued that Smith would say anything in an attempt to save himself.
Smith is also charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder and has pleaded not guilty.
Evans pointed out that Smith’s fingerprints were found in the getaway car, but Johnson’s were not. He also said there was “no proof that Justin Johnson got a penny,” while Smith testified he received $800 before his arrest, and his defense attorney later received an additional $50,000.
Hagerman countered that the video and cell phone evidence supported Smith’s story. They included calls between Smith and Johnson shortly before the killing and a call between Johnson and Big Jook immediately afterward.
Jermarcus Johnson, who pleaded guilty in June 2023 to three counts of serving as an accessory after the murder by helping Smith and Justin Johnson, his half-brother, communicate via cellphone while they were on the run from authorities, also testified during the trial. He has not yet been sentenced.
Hernandez Govan, identified by Smith as a go-between with Big Jook, pleaded not guilty to organizing the killing.
Young Dolph began his career by releasing numerous mixtapes starting in 2008 with “Paper Route 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 others. Young Dolph had three albums reach the top ten on the Billboard 200, with “Rich Slave” peaking at No. 4 in 2020.
