Young Dolph's killer appears stone cold as jury delivers verdict in rapper's murder trial

One of the men accused of killing Memphis rapper Young Dolph appeared stone faced as a jury declared that he was guilty of murder and was sentenced to life in prison.

Jurors took just under four hours on Thursday to reach a verdict in Justin Johnson's four-day murder trial, before ultimately returning a unanimous decision that he was guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, Local Memphis reports.

Johnson stood still as the verdict was read in court, even when Judge Jennifer Mitchell sentenced him to serve life in prison for Young Dolph's November 17, 2021 murder. 

Prosecutors had argued during the trial that Johnson and another man, Cornelius Smith, opened fire outside of Makeda's Cookie Shop, where the rapper- whose real name is Adolph Thornton Jr. - was buying treats for his mother.

They would be paid $40,000 each to carry out the hit from Anthony Mims, also known as Big Jook, the brother of Dolph's rival, Memphis rapper Yo Gotti, Smith testified on the first day of the trial.

Smith, who is also facing first-degree murder charges, went on to identify himself and Johnson as the two men who were caught on surveillance footage opening fire on the bakery just moments after Dolph walked in.

The 36-year-old rapper could be seen briefly talking to an employee to purchase cookies. He was seemingly waiting for his order when a stolen white Mercedes Benz pulled up and two men fired through the window, striking him in broad daylight.

The suspects then sped away in the Mercedes Benz, and video played in court showed the stolen vehicle pulling into Johnson's apartment complex and then showed the suspect walking throughout the building.

He appeared to be wearing the same clothes as one of the shooters in the surveillance footage from the bakery - a black hoodie, gray sweatpants and a Bass Pro Shops hat. 

The Mercedes was found the next day at the house next door to that of a third suspect, Hernandez Govan, Fox 13 reports. 

Jermarcus Johnson, Justin's half-brother, also acknowledged in court that he helped the two shooting suspects communicate by cellphone while they were on the run from authorities, and helped one of them communicate with his probation officer.

Jermarcus pleaded guilty in June 2023 to three counts of serving as an accessory, but has not yet been sentenced.

Other witnesses testified that they saw a man give Johnson the stolen Mercedes ahead of the shooting, and cops claimed that Johnson's cellphone was in the area of Makeda's bakery at the time of the shooting.

Assistant District Attorney claimed that Govan put Johnson and Smith in touch with Mims, and they formed a deal under which Mims would give both gunmen $50,000 for carrying out the hit and they would in turn give Govan $10,000 of their earnings.

He noted that Yo Gotti-founded rival record label Cocaine Muzic Group (now known as Collective Music Group) and wanted Young Dolph to work for them, but he turned them down. 

Young Dolph later wrote diss tracks directed at the label, its artists, and its 'number two person,' Big Jook, who was killed outside of a restaurant in January 2024.

Following three days of the prosecution's arguments, defense attorney Luke Evans asked for an acquittal - claiming that the prosecutors failed to make their case of a conspiracy - but the judge denied the motion.

Evans then focused his defense on the fact that Johnson's DNA was never recovered from the Mercedes and the guns used to kill Young Dolph were never found.

He also rebutted the video showing the Mercedes pulling into Johnson's apartment complex, arguing that only proved that the Mercedes and Johnson were at the apartment complex at the same time, and said that just because his phone was in the area of the bakery does not mean that Johnson was.

Evans then went on to push back against the argument that Johnson was wearing the same clothes as the man seen shooting into the cookie shop, arguing 'similar is not the same.' 

But Johnson has had a lengthy criminal history, dating back to the age of 17, when he was charged with aggravated rape and aggravated robbery at gunpoint for assaulting a woman at an Econo Lodge.

He was found delinquent - equivalent to a conviction - and placed in the custody of the Department of Children's Services until his 19th birthday. He was also placedon the juvenile sex offender registry. 

Two years later, in 2017, Johnson was sentenced to five years in prison after shooting three people with an assault rifle during a brawl at a Memphis bowling alley. 

Police said at the time that a fight broke out at the bowling alley just before midnight, according to Tennessee station WJHL. Johnson grabbed an assault rifle from outside and fired into a crowd, hitting three people and escaping with his girlfriend.

Officers found him a month later in a home with marijuana, an assault rifle and active warrants for the January shooting. He was listed as a gang member.

In May of that year, Johnson pled guilty to several charges of aggravated assault, but served only five months of a five-year sentence when a judge approved his release.

Shelby County court records also show that unrelated drug and weapons charges against Johnson were dropped in 2018. 

Then, prior to turning himself into authorities in Young Dolph's murder, Johnson released a music video which saw him sing about opening fire on his enemies.

Holding a stack of $100 bills and rapping in front of a gas station, he says: 'The only time he see my face when I'ma blam him.'

Other lyrics in the largely hard-to-decipher video include 'dead on fire,' 'killing sh**' and 'I can't let no man get on me, they're too close to dyin'.'

Following Thursday's guilty verdict, Dolph's family released a statement thanking the public for their support. 

'On November 17, 2021, our lives changed forever,' his sister Carlissa Thornton said.

'A son, a father, a brother, a friend, a businessman, a music artist, a philanthropist and life partner are among just some of the titles that my brother Adolph Robert Thornton Jr held. Titles that have now left a missing piece in the lives of so many.

'I want to thank the jury for their service and decision in this case to bring us one step closer to justice for our family, friends , supporters and the community that has supported us during this time,' she said, before also thanking the District Attorney's Office, the Memphis Police Department and investigators.

'We realize this act of violence has impacted so many outside of our family and friends. Your outpouring of love and support throughout this process does not go unnoticed.

'We ask that instead of focusing on those who committed this crime, you focus on that man that Adolph Robert Thornton was,' Carlissa continued.

'Regardless of the name that you may know him as, such as Adolph, Dolph or Young Dolph, we ask you to remember the man that enjoyed being a father and spending time with his family. 

'We ask that you remember the man who enjoyed giving opportunities to those who were overlooked and counted out. We ask that you remember the man who enjoyed giving back to others and being an inspiration to those who come from less than ideal backgrounds, and knowing that they are seen and can change their outcomes and the lives of others by doing something positive.'

Mia Joye, Dolph's partner, also posted on Instagram: 'Today's verdict brings relief and restores my confidence in the justice system.

'On behalf of my children, family, and myself, I would like to thank law enforcement, the prosecution and everyone involved for their diligent work in presenting the facts that led to this conviction. We are also grateful to the public for standing with us and advocating for accountability throughout this process.

'The past three years, marked by the loss of Adolph and the events leading to the trial, have been incredibly frustrating,' she continued. 'My faith has been tested, but Adolph's tragic execution has only strengthened my resolve to fight for justice - not only for him, but all black men.

'This is just the beginning of our journey toward achieving full justice for Adolph, and we will patiently support the unfolding of that process.' 

Smith is scheduled to appear in court for his own trial on November 15, and Govan is scheduled for a hearing on October 9.