Justin Johnson has been sentenced to life in prison for the shooting death of rapper Young Dolph, who was killed outside a Memphis cookie shop in November 2021. A jury found Johnson guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and being a felon in possession of a firearm after just four hours of deliberation.
Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., was 36 years old at the time of his death. His murder drew significant public interest, reflecting his status as a beloved figure in the Memphis music scene. Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy emphasized the community’s deep connection to Young Dolph, pledging to pursue justice for all involved in the crime.
Testimony from co-defendant Cornelius Smith revealed that the murder was linked to tensions between rival record labels. Smith indicated that he and Johnson had anticipated receiving $40,000 each for the hit, which was reportedly ordered by Anthony Mims—also known as Big Jook—who is the brother of Memphis rapper Yo Gotti. Mims allegedly orchestrated the $100,000 contract for the killing, for which Johnson and Smith were to pay $10,000 to another co-defendant, Hernandez Govan.
On the day of the shooting, Johnson and Smith tracked Young Dolph’s vehicle to the cookie shop, where they opened fire, resulting in Dolph being struck 22 times. He died at the scene.
The trial included video evidence that helped build the prosecution’s case. Young Dolph had a successful music career, with his last solo album, “Rich Slave,” reaching No. 4 on the Billboard chart in 2020. He had survived multiple shootings prior to his fatal encounter.
The guilty verdict represents a critical milestone in the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding Young Dolph’s death, with other defendants also facing charges.
