Young Dolph murder trial begins next week – report

A jury has been selected for the trial of three men accused of planning and carrying out the murder of Young Dolph in November 2021.

Jury in Young Dolph murder trial assembled

According to a news report from ABC24 Memphis published Friday (September 20), a jury has been selected for Young Dolph's murder trial, which will begin Monday (September 23) at the Shelby County Courthouse in Shelby County, Tennessee. Young Dolph's murder charges, Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith, will stand trial in Judge Jennifer Mitchell's courtroom. Hernandez Goven, who is accused of plotting the murder, will also stand trial the same day.

Johnson and Smith are both charged with first-degree murder and other crimes related to the late rapper's death. The trial was scheduled to begin in June, but was postponed to give the prosecution and defense more time to present expert witnesses. Due to the high profile the case is receiving, an outside jury has been selected for the trial.

If all three suspects are found guilty of premeditated murder, they face life imprisonment.

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The murder trial against Young Dolph begins three years after his death

Young Dolph was shot and killed while visiting a bakery in his hometown of Memphis on November 17, 2021. Justin Johnson, Jermarcus Johnson, Cornelius Smith and Hernandez Goven were arrested a few weeks later.

Jemarcus, who was accused of helping his brother Justin evade police arrest, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit premeditated murder in June 2023. It is unclear if he will testify in Justin's murder trial. Meanwhile, Justin, who is also known by the rap name Straight Drop, was charged with premeditated murder and other crimes along with Smith. In addition, Govan was charged with conspiracy to commit premeditated murder.

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ABC24 Memphis: Jury selected in Young Dolph murder trial

WREG News Channel 3: Jurors in Young Dolph murder trial confirmed

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