Young Dolph’s Killer Found Guilty On All Counts And Sentenced

Justin Johnson has been found guilty in the murder of beloved rapper, Young Dolph. The Memphis man has been sentenced to life in prison.

The verdict came on Thursday (Sept. 26). Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy has since issued the following statement amid the trial‘s conclusion: “Every murder’s a tragedy, and we take them all seriously. This one generated extra public interest because Young Dolph was a prominent and beloved member of the community. We will continue to fight hard to make sure that all of those responsible for his death are brought to justice.”

Fox13 Memphis reports that the D.A. feels this guilty verdict is important as Dolph’s family continues to fight for justice while the other defendants undergo their own due process.

The murder trial concluded after four days and a four-hour deliberation from the jury.

Johnson was found guilty of first-degree murder, guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and guilty of being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun.

Dolph —born Adolph Thornton Jr.— was killed on November 17, 2021 when Johnson and another gunman, Cornelius Smith—who has confessed—fired shots into Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies on Airways Boulevard in Memphis. Smith testified that he and Johnson carried out a $100,000 hit on the rapper, at the request of Yo Gotti’s brother, Anthony “Big Jook” Mims. The latter was murdered outside of the Perignons Restaurant and Event Center in Memphis on January 13, 2024.

Johnson and Smith were put in contact with Jook by Hernandez Govan. According to Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman and testimony from Smith, both gunman were set to receive $50,000 each for Dolph’s murder and give $10,000 of that to Govan. Neither of the guns used to kill Dolph were ever found.