Home CELEBRITY NEWS Man charged with conspiring in rapper Young Dolph’s killing acquitted of all charges

Man charged with conspiring in rapper Young Dolph’s killing acquitted of all charges

by abayomipeters720@gmail.com

Hernandez Govan, the man accused of orchestrating the killing of U.S. rapper Young Dolph, has been cleared of all charges after a jury deliberated for roughly three hours.

While Govan was never accused of being the gunman, prosecutors alleged he directed the two men who carried out the attack. Despite testimony claiming Govan offered payment to arrange the hit and planned to keep $10,000 as his share, the jury remained unconvinced.

His defense attorney questioned the strength of the police investigation and challenged the reliability of cellphone records presented by prosecutors, arguing that none of the communications directly linked Govan to the fatal shooting.

Young Dolph, born Adolph Thornton Jr., was a rapper, music label founder, and producer, widely respected in Memphis for his community work. He was 36 when he was fatally ambushed at a local cookie shop while in town for his annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway. According to investigators, two men pulled up in a white Mercedes-Benz and opened fire, striking him about 20 times, as confirmed by a medical examiner.

Justin Johnson was convicted in September 2024 of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and unlawful firearm possession. He received a life sentence plus an additional 35 years during a November hearing.

Another suspect, Cornelius Smith Jr., faces trial on murder, weapons, and theft charges. Smith, who admitted to being one of the shooters, testified against Govan and had also been a key witness in Johnson’s trial.

Shundale Barnett, a passenger with Smith at the time of his arrest, was charged as an accessory after the fact. Jemarcus Johnson struck a plea deal, admitting guilt to three counts of accessory after the fact in exchange for having his conspiracy charge dropped, and was expected to testify for the prosecution.

Prosecutors framed the killing as retaliation ordered by Anthony “Big Jook” Mims, linked to rapper Yo Gotti, following Young Dolph’s diss tracks aimed at him and his record label. Smith testified that Big Jook placed a $100,000 bounty on Young Dolph and smaller amounts on other members of his label, Paper Route Empire. Mims himself was shot and killed outside a restaurant in January 2024.

According to prosecutors, Govan acted as the go-between for Big Jook and the shooters. Smith told the court that Govan informed him about the bounties, arranged the hit, and provided the shooters with details of Young Dolph’s whereabouts, saying his turkey giveaway visit presented the perfect opportunity.

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