The case surrounding Young Dolph’s murder is approaching its final stages, and for the late rapper’s family, the latest development brings a sense of justice.
One of the three men tied to the case has now received a life-changing ruling. Justin Johnson will remain behind bars for life after the four issues he raised on appeal were all rejected. According to Fox 13 Memphis, the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, along with Judge Matthew J. Wilson, upheld the trial court’s 2024 conviction.
Johnson was found guilty of premeditated first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
The first argument Johnson raised questioned whether there was enough evidence for the jury to convict him. However, the appeals court determined there was more than enough proof, pointing to video footage capturing Young Dolph’s murder. Investigators also relied on extensive cell phone records and surveillance footage that tracked Johnson’s movements before and after the shooting. In addition, the jury heard testimony from Johnson’s admitted accomplice, Cornelius Smith.
The second issue centered on the trial judge’s decision to allow jurors to view two photos of the Memphis rapper’s body. That argument also failed to work in Johnson’s favor. The appeals court ruled that the images were permissible and determined they did not influence the jury’s verdict.
Johnson’s third argument in his appeal focused on being seated behind his attorneys instead of next to them during the trial. At the time, the decision was made due to safety concerns tied to the nature of the case. Once again, the appeals court sided with the trial court’s ruling.
The final issue involved a comment made by a prosecutor during closing arguments regarding the absence of a certain witness. The court of appeals noted that Johnson’s legal team did not object to the remark during the trial and only raised the issue afterward, which effectively made the argument irrelevant. The court added that “the evidence of defendant’s guilt was overwhelming, and the prosecutor’s comments were brief.”
This latest development in Johnson’s case comes after a February update regarding Cornelius Smith. He is reportedly working with prosecutors to finalize a plea deal. Last month, he was expected to enter a guilty plea, but the hearing has now been scheduled for March 30 to allow time to sort out remaining details. The delay is largely tied to the Tennessee Department of Corrections determining where Smith will be housed moving forward.
