Young Dolph murder suspect committed murder on his daughter's birthday

One of the shooters involved in the murder of Young Dolph testified on Monday (September 23).

Cornelius Smith, who pleaded guilty to murder, took the stand and incriminated himself, Justin Johnson, Hernandez “Quett” Govan and Yo Gotti's brother Anthony “Big Jook” Mims in the killing of the popular Memphis rapper.

Smith testified that Govan organized the murder and that Mims offered $100,000 if they could get the job done. Smith said he and Johnson were each supposed to get $40,000 and Govan $20,000. However, Smith testified that he only got $800, but Big Jook paid $50,000 in legal fees after he was caught.

He also revealed that he and Johnson committed the murder on the same day as his daughter's birthday. When asked why he decided to do it anyway, Smith said he needed the money to make his daughter's day special. “Man, I was trying to do it right for her,” he said. “I don't have any money, I'm trying to get some money on that day. So I'm trying to make sure my little girl has a nice birthday.”

According to witnesses, Smith and Johnson originally planned to commit the murder at an annual Thanksgiving turkey hunt organized by Dolph, but then they noticed his camouflaged Corvette and decided to follow him into the parking lot of Makeda's Homemade Butter Cookies, where they allegedly shot Dolph 22 times.

When asked why he decided to tell the truth, Smith said he felt guilty after his arrest and got sober. He blamed his drug use for the death of his 9-year-old son in 2020. He also said he didn't expect leniency and was talking to ease his conscience. “I'm going to jail anyway. I can get it off my chest,” he said. “It's my best to be honest, to tell the truth. Why play with these people? They already know.”

Big Jook was murdered earlier this year in January.

You can watch the testimony here.