Young Dolph Murder Verdict: Justin Johnson Found Guilty of Killing Rapper

Justin Johnson, the man accused of killing Memphis rapper Young Dolph, has been sentenced to life in prison.

According to FOX 13 Memphis, the defendant was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and felon in possession of a firearm. The verdict was announced Thursday, September 26, nearly three years after Dolph — legal name Adolph Thornton Jr. — was fatally shot in his hometown.

“Every murder’s a tragedy, and we take them all seriously,” Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy said in a statement following the verdict. “This one generated extra public interest because Young Dolph was a prominent and beloved member of the community. We will continue to fight hard to make sure that all of those responsible for his death are brought to justice.”

Johnson was one of several people charged with murdering the “Hall of Fame” rapper at a strip mall cookie shop in November 2021. Prosecutors said Johnson and his accomplice Cornelius Smith carried out the attack in broad daylight, shooting Young Dolph 22 times. Smith testified that the ambush was orchestrated by Hernandez Govan who was later charged in the murder case.

Smith claimed that Big Jook, the late brother of Memphis legend Yo Gotti, had put a $100,000 hit on Dolph, and Govan wanted a piece of the payout. Govan allegedly solicited Smith and Johnson to kill Dolph, and agreed to take a $20,000 cut while he and Johnson took $40,000 each.

However, Smith testified he had only received $800 of the $40,000 at the time of his January 2022 arrest. While on the stand this week, the defendant was to recall what was going through his mind when pulled up to the bakery and opened fire on Dolph.

“I wasn’t feeling nothing at the time,” Smith said, as reported by Rolling Stone. “I’m not gonna even lie. I wasn’t feeling nothing at the time. I was just, you know, trying to get some money. I was aiming for Dolph. I shot through the glass. I wasn’t close up on him. I shot through the glass. I saw him standing by the window. I just got out and started shooting.”

Govan and Smith are scheduled to reappear in court on September 30.