Justin Johnson receives life sentence for Young Dolph’s murder.
- Johnson found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and firearm possession.
- Co-defendants Hernandez Govan and Cornelius Smith are still awaiting their fate.
- Johnson posts a controversial message about ‘street responsibility’ on Instagram.
- Smith testified against Johnson, claiming Yo Gotti’s brother paid $100K for the hit.
On September 26, the murder trial of rapper Young Dolph concluded, resulting in 25-year-old Justin Johnson being found guilty. He received a life sentence for first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and possessing a firearm.
Johnson’s co-defendants, Hernandez Govan and Cornelius Smith, face similar charges. Their outcomes are currently pending. Johnson’s social media post sparked controversy, as he declared, ‘These n****s taking criminal responsibility I’m taking street responsibility regardless,’ suggesting a refusal to cooperate with authorities.
Smith confessed to firing the shots that killed Young Dolph and implicated Yo Gotti’s brother, Big Jook, in allegedly offering $100K for the hit. Smith claimed he coordinated with Govan and was paired with Johnson for the shooting. However, Govan did not testify despite being expected to take the stand.
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy stated that not all potential witnesses are brought forward in every case. He explained, ‘I don’t want to go into too much detail, but not every potential witness that we might have is necessary in a case.’ Luke Evans, Johnson’s lawyer, opined that Govan’s testimony would not have benefited the prosecution.
The verdict has been reached, but the fallout continues as the fate of the co-defendants remains uncertain.
