One of the lads concerned within the homicide of rapper Young Dolph was sentenced to life in jail Thursday after a four-day trial in Memphis, Tennessee.
After 4 hours of deliberation, Justin Johnson was discovered responsible of first-degree homicide, conspiracy to commit first-degree homicide and possession of a handgun by a felon. The choose sentenced him to life in jail, in line with the Shelby County District Attorney. Johnson will likely be sentenced on the latter two costs in November.
Young Dolph, whose actual identify was Adolph Thornton Jr., was shot and killed in November 2021 whereas inside Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies, a well-liked cookie store on Airways Boulevard in Memphis.
Johnson’s co-conspirator, Cornelius Smith – who admitted to being one of many gunmen within the homicide – testified that he and Johnson had been employed to kill Thornton. In alternate they might obtain $40,000 every, the district lawyer stated. According to court docket paperwork, the person who carried out the killing was Anthony Mims, or Big Jook, brother of Mario Mims, a Memphis rapper often called Yo Gotti and founding father of the Collective Music Group document label.
Anthony Mims was reportedly shot and killed exterior the Perignons Restaurant and Event Center in January Fox 13.
Thornton and Mario Mims had been buying and selling diss tracks for a decade after Thornton stated he turned down a document take care of the label. Thornton wrote the one “100 Shots” after a focused assault in 2017 fired round 100 pictures right into a bulletproof automotive he was driving in. USA Today reports — Blac Youngsta, an affiliate of Gotti, surrendered to authorities in 2019 for his alleged involvement within the taking pictures, although the fees have been finally dropped.
Defendant Justin Johnson, left, seems in court docket as rapper Young Dolph’s homicide trial begins in Memphis, Tennessee, Sept. 23, 2024.
(Mark Weber/Daily Memphian/Associated Press)
Defense legal professionals have argued that Johnson’s DNA was by no means discovered within the white Mercedes that was caught on video driving away from the crime scene, nor have been the weapons used within the killing recovered. But video proven at trial by prosecutors confirmed Johnson in his house the night time of the homicide carrying the identical garments seen on a suspect on the crime scene. They additionally had telephone information displaying he had been involved with Big Jook and Hernandez Govan, who allegedly orchestrated the homicide, earlier than and after the taking pictures. Govan can also be a defendant within the case.
“Today’s verdict brings reduction and restores my religion within the justice system,” Mia Jaye, Thornton’s accomplice, stated in a press release. on Instagram after the announcement of the sentence. “My religion has been examined, however Adolph’s tragic execution has solely strengthened my resolve to combat for justice, not only for him however for all black males. This is just the start of our journey in direction of reaching full justice for Adolph, and we’ll patiently help the progress of this trial.”
