After working with investigators, one of Young Dolph’s admitted killers has officially learned his sentence.
More than four years after Young Dolph was fatally shot in his hometown of Memphis, one of the men accused in the murder case has now been sentenced. Back in November 2021, Dolph stopped by Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies, a local spot he was known to visit often. While he was there, two men reportedly pulled up in a white vehicle and opened fire on the rapper. Authorities later revealed Dolph suffered 22 gunshot wounds to his head and body.
Cornelius Smith, Justin Johnson, and Hernandez Govan were all arrested in connection to the killing, and there has now been a major development involving Smith. According to FOX13 Memphis, Smith agreed to a plea deal after originally facing a first-degree murder charge. He reportedly accepted a reduced second-degree murder charge after confessing to shooting Dolph. Smith also cooperated with authorities in helping secure a conviction against Johnson.
Reports also claim that Cornelius Smith told investigators he and others carried out the killing of Young Dolph, born Adolph Thornton Jr., after an alleged hit was ordered by Big Jook, the late brother of Yo Gotti.
Justin Johnson was previously tried and convicted in the case, ultimately receiving a life sentence. Meanwhile, Hernandez Govan also faced serious prison time after prosecutors accused him of being connected to the murder, though he was eventually acquitted.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Smith accepted a 20-year prison sentence. Steve Mulroy addressed the outcome in a statement, saying, “Young Dolph was a beloved member of this community, his death a tragedy, his murder an outrage. We’re glad to finally have this last part of the case resolved. The sentence properly reflects the gravity of the offense while giving due consideration to the cooperation this defendant provided. We hope this resolution can give Dolph’s family some sense of closure.”
