Man sentenced to life in Young Dolph killing gets 35 more years in prison

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A Tennessee man sentenced to life successful situation successful nan daytime ambush sidesplitting of rapper Young Dolph received an further 35 years down bars Friday.

Justin Johnson was convicted of first-degree murder connected Sept. 26 and sentenced to life successful situation pinch nan anticipation of parole nan aforesaid time by Shelby County Judge Jennifer Mitchell. On Friday, she sentenced Johnson for his 2 different convictions from nan trial: conspiracy to perpetrate execution and being a felon successful possession of a gun.

Young Dolph, whose existent sanction was Adolph Thornton Jr., was fatally changeable successful November 2021 astatine a Memphis bakery. Known for his useful of kindness successful nan metropolis wherever he grew up, nan 36-year-old rapper and independent euphony explanation proprietor was successful Memphis to manus retired Thanksgiving turkeys to families erstwhile his sojourn to his favourite cooky shop turned into an arena that shocked nan intermezo world.

Prosecutor Paul Hagerman noted during nan sentencing proceeding that Johnson, a 26-year-old aspiring rapper, had 3 aggravated battle convictions earlier nan shooting and he had “no hesitation” to perpetrate nan murder-for-hire successful a nationalist place. Hagerman called it a “stone-cold execution” motivated by money and fame.

In a connection publication successful court, nan rapper's sister said nan family feels “anger, worry and grief” complete nan decease of Young Dolph, who “created a bequest that will strengthen agelong aft this tragedy.”

“In a world afloat of envy, jealousy and arrogance, galore neglect to recognize nan effect of their actions until it's excessively late,” nan connection said.

Johnson's lawyer, Luke Evans, said Johnson was manipulated by others to sprout Young Dolph. Evans has requested a caller proceedings for Johnson, arguing that nan grounds presented during nan proceedings was not capable for a conviction. Evans said Johnson would not beryllium eligible for parole for different 50 years nether nan execution condemnation alone.

During nan trial, co-defendant Cornelius Smith testified that rapper Yo Gotti’s brother, Anthony “Big Jook” Mims, had put retired a $100,000 deed connected Young Dolph arsenic good arsenic bounties connected each nan artists astatine Young Dolph’s grounds label, Paper Route Empire. Smith said he and Johnson were “looking for somebody” and “didn’t cognize who we were going to catch.”

They knew that Young Dolph and immoderate of his artists were participating successful nan turkey giveaway, truthful they were heading successful that guidance erstwhile they saw Young Dolph’s car. They followed him to nan cooky shop and opened occurrence successful wide daylight, Smith said. Young Dolph was deed 22 times and died astatine nan scene.

Hagerman told trial jurors that Cocaine Muzik Group (now known arsenic Collective Music Group), a rival grounds explanation founded by Yo Gotti, wanted Young Dolph to activity for them, but he turned them down. Young Dolph later wrote diss tracks directed astatine nan label, its artists and its “number 2 person,” Big Jook. Big Jook was changeable and killed extracurricular a edifice earlier this year.

In summation to Smith’s testimony, prosecutors presented a upland of circumstantial evidence, including from surveillance cameras and Johnson’s ain cellphone.

Smith is besides charged pinch execution and conspiracy to perpetrate execution and has pleaded not guilty. A proceedings day has not been group for him.

Evans, nan defense attorney, said successful nan trial's closing arguments that Smith was lying and would opportunity thing to effort to prevention himself. Evans besides noted that Smith’s fingerprints were recovered successful nan getaway car but Johnson’s were not. And he said location was “no impervious that Justin Johnson sewage a penny,” while Smith testified he received $800 earlier he was arrested and his defense lawyer later received different $50,000.

Hagerman countered that video and cellphone grounds corroborated Smith’s story. They included calls betwixt Smith and Johnson soon earlier nan sidesplitting and a telephone betwixt Johnson and Big Jook instantly after.

Jermarcus Johnson, who pleaded blameworthy successful June 2023 to 3 counts of serving arsenic an accessory aft nan killing, acknowledged helping his half-brother and Smith pass by cellphone while they were connected nan tally from authorities. He has not been sentenced.

Hernandez Govan, whom Smith identified arsenic a go-between pinch Big Jook, has pleaded not blameworthy to organizing nan killing. A proceedings day for Govan has been group for March 10.

Young Dolph began his profession by releasing galore mixtapes. His workplace albums see his 2016 debut, “King of Memphis.” He besides collaborated connected different mixtapes and albums pinch chap rappers Key Glock, Megan Thee Stallion, T.I., Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz and others.

Young Dolph had 3 albums scope nan apical 10 connected nan Billboard 200, pinch 2020′s “Rich Slave” peaking astatine No. 4.