Young Dolph’s Murder Verdict
One of the men accused of killing Young Dolph at a Memphis bakery three years ago was found guilty on all charges.
After four hours of discussing, the jury decided that Justin Johnson, 26, was guilty of first-degree murder, planning to commit murder, and having a firearm as a felon.
The judge said, “As the thirteenth juror, I affirm this verdict. As to the first-degree murder, I sentence you to life in prison.” Johnson listened silently during the hearing, which was live-streamed. She will decide the punishment for the other charges on November 1.
Carlisa Brown, Young Dolph’s sister, felt relieved by the verdict, saying it would help their healing process. She attended the trial and heard the decision firsthand. Brown mentioned that prosecutors kept a lot secret for security reasons, like how Johnson and Cornelius Smith allegedly killed Dolph for a $100,000 bounty from Anthony “Big Jook†Mims, Yo Gotti’s brother. “We had reassurance it was a strong case, but we didn’t know everything,” Brown said. “The person responsible had to reap the consequences and get what they deserved. It was worth the wait.”
Sometimes, justice takes time, but it’s always important for closure.
Young Dolph’s fiancée, Mia Jaye, shared her relief on Instagram. She thanked everyone involved for their hard work and expressed hope in the justice system. Jaye wrote, “The past three years, marked by the loss of Adolph and the events leading to the trial, have been incredibly frustrating. My faith has been tested, but Adolph’s tragic execution has only strengthened my resolve to fight – not only for him but for all Black men.”
Trial Details
During Johnson’s trial, evidence showed he murdered Young Dolph in broad daylight on November 17, 2021. Prosecutors connected Mims to the shooting, saying he saw Thornton as an enemy after being rejected by CMG, Yo Gotti’s label.
Shelby County Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman told the jury that Johnson was caught before, during, and after the murder thanks to videos, phone records, and Cornelius Smith’s testimony. Smith said Johnson was with him when they shot Dolph at Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies in South Memphis.
Hagerman stated that even without Smith’s words, there was enough evidence against Johnson. Video footage showed Johnson wearing the same outfit as one of the shooters. Investigators also found he had a FaceTime call with Big Jook right after the murder.
In his defense, Johnson’s lawyer, Luke Evans, asked the jury not to believe Smith. He argued Smith might be lying to get out of jail. Evans also claimed the hat seen on the shooter wasn’t Johnson’s and that Bass Pro hats were popular at the time. He said, “Similar doesn’t mean the same.”
Evans highlighted the lack of Johnson’s fingerprints in the getaway car, saying only Smith’s were found. “It’s never justice to wrongfully convict someone,” he stated. “[Johnson] didn’t kill Adolph Thornton Jr. He didn’t conspire to kill Adolph Thornton Jr., and he wasn’t the man holding the pistol in the Makeda video.”
Prosecutors focused on the evidence presented, avoiding the backstory between Thornton and CMG. They mentioned that CMG wanted Dolph under their label, but he declined multiple offers, leading to several violent incidents against him. Thornton’s song “100 Shots†responded to a shooting where his SUV was hit but he survived.
Smith testified that “Big Jook had a hit on Dolph’s head†and that he and Johnson expected $40,000 each for the job. He described how they followed Thornton’s car, parked, and shot him through the bakery window.
Smith admitted he felt nothing during the act, just aiming to get money. He said, “I wasn’t feeling nothing at the time. I’m not gonna even lie. I wasn’t feeling nothing at the time. I was just, you know, trying to get some money.”
Smith, who also faces charges, said his conscience led him to confess. Govan, another man charged, pleaded not guilty and did not testify. Johnson’s half-brother, Jermarcus, also testified against him, revealing he helped Johnson escape Memphis after the murder.
Thornton, born in Chicago but raised in Memphis, had a unique style embraced by fans and fellow artists. His music career took off after a feature on O.T. Genesis’ “Cut It.†He founded the Paper Route Empire label, which included other successful artists.
Now, Brown says the family focuses on continuing Thornton’s charitable work through the IdaMae Family Foundation, named after his grandmother. “With this three-year anniversary coming up, I’m going to continue doing what he loved doing, which was giving back.â€
