Hernandez Govan On Trial For Young Dolph’s Death (UPDATES)

The trial towards Hernandez Govan is on day two after Monday’s begin. Govan is charged with organizing the daytime ambush killing of Younger Dolph at a Memphis bakery in November 2021. The 45-year-old faces prices of first-degree homicide, conspiracy to commit first-degree homicide, and tried homicide. Whereas prosecutors aren’t arguing that Hernandez Govan pulled the set off, they do declare he arrange the entire play for the 2 shooters who did.

Defendant Hernandez Govan, accused of orchestrating the killing of rapper Younger Dolph, seems in court docket throughout his trial in Memphis, Tenn., on Monday, August 18, 2025. (Mark Weber/Day by day Memphian by way of AP, Pool)

RELATED: Prosecutor Claims Yo Gotti’s Late Brother Large Jook Put A $100,000 Hit On Younger Dolph (UPDATE)

Younger Dolph, whose authorized title is Adolph Thornton Jr., was a rapper, unbiased label proprietor, and producer who grew up in Memphis. Apart from the music, the town additionally cherished him for his charitable works. When the ambush occurred, the 36-year-old was in his hometown handy out Thanksgiving turkeys to households. He had stopped to go to his favourite cookie store. Then, that become an assault that shocked the leisure world.

One Of Younger Dolph’s Shooters Spilled It All

Memphis prosecutors have portrayed the killing as a part of an effort by Anthony ‘Large Jook’ Mims to get revenge on Younger Dolph for tracks dissing Large Jook and the file label he helped run for his brother, Yo Gotti.

Cornelius Smith Jr., who admitted to being one of many shooters who killed Younger Dolph, has been serving to them construct that case. He’s flipped on everybody concerned, together with his co-shooter, Justin Johnson. He testified that Large Jook put out a $100,000 hit on Younger Dolph. Moreover, Jook allegedly had smaller bounties on all of the artists at Younger Dolph’s file label, Paper Route Empire. Large Jook was shot and killed exterior a restaurant earlier this 12 months.

Smith stored the identical power at Hernandez Govan‘s trial on Monday. He testified: “I didn’t know something about Paper Route having no hits,” earlier than Govan instructed him about them, per the Related Press. He mentioned Govan employed him to “do the hits” and was going to take $10,000 as his minimize. Cornelius Smith Jr. additionally mentioned Govan was who instructed him and Justin Johnson that Younger Dolph can be in Memphis for the volunteer occasion. He referred to as it their “alternative,” per Smith.

Hernandez Govan’s Lawyer Calls Out Most important Witness Testimony

Govan’s protection legal professional, Manny Arora, tried to color Cornelius Smith as an unreliable witness who would say something to get a lighter sentence. Arora pointed to earlier testimony by which Smith recalled an opportunity encounter with Large Jook. On the time, Smith implied that Large Jook was the one who employed him. After Smith was arrested, his legal professional referred to as Large Jook’s legal professional and obtained someplace between $38,000 and $50,000 in money. Smith mentioned on Monday that he didn’t know who had offered the cash.

Smith additionally testified that he beforehand heard that Hernandez Govan could be working with the FBI. Arora requested why Smith would take a job from Govan if that have been the case. Smith mentioned that Govan was “harmless till confirmed responsible.”

What Had been The Shooters Charged With?

Smith is charged with homicide and conspiracy to commit homicide. He has pleaded not responsible and doesn’t but have a trial date.

Justin Johnson was sentenced to life in jail with the potential of parole in September 2024. He was later sentenced for 2 different convictions from the trial: conspiracy to commit homicide and being a felon in possession of a gun.

As talked about, Smith beforehand was the primary witness towards Justin Johnson and named him because the second shooter. Johnson was convicted of first-degree homicide final 12 months. A decide sentenced him to life in jail with the potential of parole in September 2024. He was later sentenced for 2 different convictions from the trial: conspiracy to commit homicide and being a felon in possession of a gun.