Everything we know about the murder of Young Dolph, arrests and court cases (2024)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Mourners filled the street on Airways Boulevard just after noon on November 17, 2021.

FOX13's cameras were there as people laid in the streets crying and onlookers tried to get a glimpse of Makeda's Homemade Butter Cookies.

PHOTOS: Fans honor Memphis rapper Young Dolph

Just minutes earlier, Young Dolph walked into the cookie shop. While he was in the store, two gunmen pulled up beside his camouflage Corvette in a white Mercedes, ran up to the store's windows and opened fire.

"Not receiving anything additional other than the victim is beyond help," police dispatchers communicated.

An autopsy would later reveal that Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., suffered 22 gunshot wounds from the barrage of bullets.

"That's a father. That's a brother. That's a son. That's a nephew. Other than being a superstar. That's somebody's child right there," a fan at the scene told FOX13's Jeremy Pierre.

The internationally-known rapper was back in his home city on that fateful day, preparing for his annual turkey giveaway, an event that was continued by his record label Paper Route Empire.

Young Dolph's funeral was held less than two weeks later on November 30.

For his life partner Mia Jaye, Young Dolph's death turned her life upside down and brought a tragic new meaning to her campaign "Black Men Deserve to Grow Old".

"I would just say I want people to know Adolph was not deserving of what happened to him. We really need to address as to why this is happening to men like Adolph," Jaye said. "Like I said, Black men deserve to grow old. Adolph deserved to grow old. I feel like every man in our community deserves to grow old."

The first arrest in the case came just days later when Cornelius Smith was pulled over in Southaven, Mississippi.

Smith was picked up on an auto theft warrant involving the stolen white Mercedes Benz, though his arrest and alleged connection to Young Dolph's murder would not be publicized by Southaven Police until later as authorities across the country worked to find other suspects.

Weeks went by without an update until January 5 when Memphis Police announced an arrest warrant on a first-degree murder charge for Justin Johnson, also known by his rap name of Straight Drop. Johnson would be arrested six days later by the U.S. Marshals in Ohio.

"We wouldn't be here without strong evidence against them. We are confident, and y'all saw the video from Nov. 17. We had those people in court today," said Shelby County Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman said after Smith and Johnson appeared in court immediately following the arrests.

While his family, Memphis and the world awaited updates, a makeshift memorial grew outside of Makeda's Homemade Cookies honoring the rapper.

Fans from around the country left tributes, cried and prayed just feet away from where the rapper was gunned down.

That memorial site was cleaned up by the property's owner and now a mural to Young Dolph has been created on the side of the Community Grocery Store at Castalia and Boyle, the world-renowned rapper forever looking out over the neighborhood he called home.

Nearing the one-year mark of Young Dolph's death, authorities made a major announcement in the case.

Hernandez Govan was arrested on November 10, 2022. Prosecutors claim that Govan organized the assassination.

Two months prior to Govan's arrest, his daughter 25-year-old Destinee Govan was shot to death at a traffic light in Houston, Texas. Destinee Govan was a rapper who went by the stage name Lotta Cash Desoto and was signed by Lil Uzi Vert.

Before he was arrested but after his daughter's murder, Herandez Govan posted to Facebook writing, "I think I cursed U Destinee with my lifestyle. I apologize baby."

For nearly a year, all three suspects appeared before Judge Lee Coffee.

After being granted a $90,000 bond, Govan was released from jail. During one court appearance before Judge Coffee, it was revealed that Govan had taken trips out of the Memphis area without the court's consent.

"That's a violation of your bond," Judge Coffee said. "I don't know who gave you permission, but unless you hear from Judge Coffee... it can't be done unless it's approved by this court."

"You wanted to go clothes shopping," Judge Coffee continued. "I think my response if that you have Amazon.com to deliver your clothing. You also wanted to go grocery shopping. I told you to call Kroger and have them deliver your food to your house... You are probably aware that Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee is the first most violent metropolitan area in the country. This case has generated a substantial amount of publicity and if you're running around free in Shelby County, Mr. Govan, knock on wood, somebody might be trying to kill you, sir."

But, that would be one of the last times the suspects in Young Dolph's murder appeared before Judge Lee Coffee.

After his arrest, Justin Johnson released a song from the Shelby County Jail titled "No Statements". Judge Coffee restricted Johnson's phone and visitation privileges after the release and placed him under a DRT order.

The Criminal Court of Appeals later determined that "it would appear to a reasonable person that Judge Coffee has a prejudice of a personal character, directed at the Defendant, stemming from an extrajudicial source" and ordered Judge Coffee to recuse himself from the case.

Johnson, Smith and Govan were then moved to the courtroom of Judge Jennifer Mitchell.

Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith were both charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, unlawful carrying or possession of a weapon, employment of a firearm with intent to commit a felony and theft of property between $10,000 and $60,000.

Jermarcus Johnson, the half-brother of Justin, was also arrested and pled guilty to three counts of accessory after the fact.

Govan was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

One year to the day that Young Dolph was shot and killed, his record label released a new song by him titled "Get Away".

In it, the artist appears to reflect on his life and his future in the rap industry.

"Got tired of rein' up and trappin'. Now a (explicit) sick of rappin'. All of this (explicit) just too basic. My past, I wish I could erase it... Livin' in hell right here on Earth. All I do is get high and work... I taste Codeine when I burp. Feels like a (explicit) cursed. Been a while since I went to church. Hide my pain and tears in a verse. don't nobody understand me. (Explicit) some fame, (explicit) a grammy. Wish I could go be with my granny," parts of the song said.

Paper Route Empire also honored Dolph on the day of his death by continuing his annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway, a tradition dating back to 2015, and participating in "Dolph Day of Service" by giving out free haircuts, lunch and winter kits to people in Memphis.

Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith have been given a trial date of March 11, 2024. As of November 17, 2023, no trial date had been announced for Govan.