Murder trial of Memphis rapper Young Dolph underway | News

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – One of the men accused of murdering Memphis rapper Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., began trial on Monday, September 23. 

FOX13 reporter Jeremy Pierre has been in the courtroom during the entirety of the trial. Continue to check this story for live updates on the trial.

WATCH THE TRIAL LIVE FROM THE COURTROOM

3:44 p.m., September 25 – Defense asks for acquittal

Luke Evans asked the judge to acquit Justin Johnson for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and first-degree murder. Evans claimed that Johnson was never present for any conversations with Big Jook and Hernandez Govan. 

Prosecutor Hagerman brought up Smith’s testimony that he planned with Johnson to kill Young Dolph. The prosecutor said that Smith’s testimony alone regarding the murder should be sufficient to put Johnson on trial for murder. 

Evans added on the conspiracy that there was clearly evidence of an agreement between Govan and Smith but believed the link between Smith and Johnson was not sufficient. The defense attorney brought up Smith’s testimony that he and Johnson saw Young Dolph and November 17 and decided to carry out the hit then. 

The judge said that she believes she has seen evidence to all three counts. Regarding the conspiracy, the judge said that Smith’s testimony about meeting with Smith, Govan and Big Jook was significant, though Johnson was not present for that meeting. The judge also mentioned Smith’s testimony that both he and Johnson were together on November 17, the day of the murder. Smith testified that their goal for the day was to go out and find a member of Young Dolph’s record label to kill. Smith testified that the two happened to come across Young Dolph. 

Between those testimonies and the videos, the judge believed that the state made a proper case on all charges and left the charges in the hands of the jury. 

Evans then requested a recess to meet with Johnson. 

3:40 p.m., September 25 – Prosecution Rests 

The prosecution rested their case at 3:40 p.m. after the cross-examination of investigator Jesse Browning. The court went into recess. 

3:23 p.m., September 25 – Cross-examination of third witness

Luke Evans, defense attorney for Justin Johnson, began cross-examining investigator Jesse Browning. Browning said that he was not originally working the case on November 17, the day the murder occurred. The investigator said he began working the case in December 2021. 

Evans said that Browning mentioned in his report that Justin Johnson called individuals. Browning admitted that he could not say it was definitely Johnson who called anyone, only that Johnson’s phone was used in those calls. Browning then clarified that he could only confirm, based on the phone records, that Johnson’s phone was used to have a FaceTime call with Big Jook. 

Evans then implied that cooperating witnesses were not always truthful and that there were “several times in this case when someone claims to be using someone else’s phone.” The defense attorney brought up that Jermarcus Johnson used Justin Johnson’s phone for a period of time after Young Dolph was murdered. 

The defense attorney then questioned Browning about at least two meetings with Hernandez Govan in which Govan gave police information about the case. Browning said that Govan gave officers information under a Proffer Agreement in which he would be given certain protection. That agreement allows a defendant to disclose information to law enforcement and federal prosecutors in exchange for assurance that the information won’t be used against them in the future. 

Evans began questioning Browning about the Bass Pro that the shooter and Johnson are both seen wearing. Evans implied that the Bass Pro hat was very popular, especially with artists, but Browning said he was not aware of that trend. “That just wasn’t a common hat that I observed in our investigations,” Browning said. 

The defense attorney claimed that Browning interviewed an employee from Makeda’s that told police that one particular customer “always” wore a Bass Pro hat. Browning did not remember that interview. Evans introduced a report of the interview, but Browning was unaware of it. 

Evans asked Browning about the white Mercedes and asked if any bullet holes were found. Bullet holes were found in the rear and Browning said that the window might have been busted out. 

The questioning then shifted to Bradley Street, the area where the Mercedes was found and where Hernandez Govan lived. Browning testified that he was not aware of any camera footage obtained from Bradley Street. Browning said that he assumed someone knocked on Govan’s door, but the investigator was unaware of any interactions. Browning said that he had never been made aware of camera footage obtained by Govan. 

The defense ended cross-examination and the prosecution did not redirect. 

2:50 p.m., September 25 – Third witness testifies

Prosecutor Paul Hagerman called to the stand Jesse Browning, a 15-year veteran of the Memphis Police Department who works in the multi-agency gang unit. Browning is an investigator and was involved in the investigation surrounding the murder of Young Dolph. 

Browning said that for the past 9-10 years he’s worked in call detail records and cell phone data. Browning said that he’s used cell phone tracking technology for the past 10 years, though he admitted to not being “an expert like (Garner) is.” Browning has been certified in cell phone extraction and “does a lot of analysis.” Browning said that he uses cell phone extractions to find evidence in investigations and has extracted numerous cell phones in the Young Dolph murder investigation. 

Browning said that he analyzed the cell phone extraction of Justin Johnson’s phone as well as admitted shooter Cornelius Smith and other individuals. Browning created a report outlining his discoveries from Johnson’s phone. That report isolated particular text messages, communications and images, among other things. 

WHEN JOHNSON’S PHONE WAS USED

Browning identified the Apple ID associated with the phone as one belonging to Justin Johnson. On November 16, 2021 at 6:10 p.m., Treon Ingram sent Johnson a text of a white Mercedes Benz, according to the phone records. The next day, the day of the murder, at 2:58 a.m., Johnson sent Ingram a location drop. That location was an address on Bradley Street, the phone records showed. That address on Bradley Street was a driveway next door to where the Mercedes Benz was found after the murder. 

At 3:16 a.m., images from the Valero gas station on South Highland captured the white Mercedes Benz and an Infiniti. Browning said that he was trying to find out where Ingram and Johnson went after the location drop. Those images at the gas station were taken about 20 minutes after the location drop was sent. 

From 10:51 a.m. to 10:55 a.m. on November 17, still shot photos show Justin Johnson and his daughter and the white Mercedes Benz. The Mercedes is leaving the garage of the Crosstown apartments at 10:56 a.m., according to Browning. At 10:54 a.m.., Johnson placed an outgoing call to Cornelius Smith, Browning said. 

At 12:04 p.m. on November 17, phone records show an outgoing call from Justin Johnson to Cornelius Smith. That call lasted 17 seconds and would have been placed about 20 minutes before Young Dolph was murdered. at 12:23 p.m. on the day of the murder, Johnson received an incoming call from his mother. That call had a duration of zero seconds, indicating that he never picked up or that there was a service interruption, Browning said. 

At 12:25 p.m., Johnson placed an outgoing call to Big Jook, Browning testified. At 12:26 p.m. on the day of the murder, phone records show that Johnson had a FaceTime call with Anthony Mims, also known as Big Jook, according to Browning. 

On November 17 at 12:39 p.m., Browning said that Johnson placed an outgoing call to his cousin and then received a text from her shortly after. At 12:40 p.m., the two spoke for about 28 seconds, according to Browning. 

Phone records show that Johnson received his cousins address in that text, an address that matches the Gospel Gardens Apartments. 

At 12:47 p.m., phone records show that Johnson sent that address to an associate. Johnson then sent a text to that person saying “Now bro. I need you now.” Immediately after, Johnson received a text saying, “I’m on my way.” 

At 12:58 p.m., Johnson placed a 12-second outgoing call to his cousin, Browning said. 

At 1:26 p.m., Johnson’s phone was used to contact the girlfriend of Cornelius Smith, Browning said. 

Johnson’s phone later received a text from Smith’s girlfriend saying, “This is C bruh. Send me bruh number so I can get my phone.” “C” was identified as Cornelius Smith. 

Browning testified that the data from Johnson’s phone had been deleted, but that information was retrieved from the call logs. 

FINDING JUSTIN JOHNSON

Browning testified that he knew Johnson was a rapper and reviewed rap videos that Johnson made. Some of those videos were found on his phone. In those videos, the tattoos on Johnson’s hands were visible, as was the fact that he is right handed, the detective said. 

Browning said that officers went to several locations, including his house, to find Johnson. A tip was eventually received that Johnson was outside of Memphis and had traveled back and forth to and from Memphis following the murder of Young Dolph. Browning described the attempt to find Johnson as a “manhunt” with the U.S. Marshals involved. During that manhunt, Johnson’s social media was monitored and he was eventually arrested in Indianapolis. The murder weapons were never recovered. 

Browning said that there was evidence that the Mercedes Benz was wiped down, though three sets of fingerprints were discovered in the car. Browning said that there was evidence that the suspects in the Young Dolph murder was wearing gloves. Chapstick was found in the car with Treon Ingram’s DNA, Browning said. The Mercedes was searched for blood evidence and Touch DNA samples were taken. Those results were inconclusive, Browning said. 

Browning said that Pressure World is in the Lamar and Semmes area. That’s supposedly where Cornelius Smith met with Hernandez Govan to retrieve his phone after the homicide. 

2:49 p.m., September 25 – Trial resumes

The jury reentered the courtroom at 2:50 p.m. after a short recess. 

2:34 p.m., September 25 – Stipulation of fact entered

Prosecutor Paul Hagerman entered into evidence a stipulation of fact, agreed to by both parties. That stipulation read that Justin Johnson is a convicted felon, having been convicted in 2017. 

The court then took a 7-8 minute break at the request of prosecutor Hagerman. 

2:12 p.m., September 25 – Cross-examination of Michael Garner

Luke Evans began cross-examining expert witness Michael Garner who testified that tracking cell phones is “not an exact science.” Garner said that he’s not testifying about where exactly a cell phone was at any given time, only giving the general area of a cell phone at any given time. 

Garner said that cell phone companies don’t put up cell phone towers to track customers but to provide the best cell phone service possible. A cell phone tower could cover as much as two miles, Garner said. Evans then brought up that the tower near Makeda’s could reach two miles in any direction. 

 At 12:22 p.m., there was a “data session,” Garner said. At 12:23 p.m., there was an incoming call that was not answered and was sent to voicemail. That call hit two different towers. Evans then questioned Garner about a tower on Raines Road. Evans then introduced a map of different locations in Memphis into evidence. The map showed the Memphis Airport, the FedEx World Hub, I-240 going through the middle of the page and four pink areas showing areas from cell towers that Garner testified about previously. 

At 12:18 p.m., Garner testified that Johnson’s phone pinged off a tower close to Makeda’s.

Evans pointed out a hit on Johnson’s phone that pinged off a tower west of Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies. That call would have happened during the timeframe of the murder. Evans claimed that it is about three miles from the tower east of Makeda’s to the tower west of Makeda’s. The tower to the west of Makeda’s to the tower near the Memphis International Airport was about 3.2 miles, Evans implied. 

When asked if he mapped those calls out, Garner said he did not. Evans then questioned how, within a minute, Johnson’s phone could have pinged off four towers that were miles away from each other. Evans then said that “in less than 30 seconds, no one is getting from up here on Deadrick Avenue down to the airport.” 

Garner previously testified that calls hit “the nearest available tower,” meaning that a tower could pass up a connection if it’s too busy. Garner clarified saying that if you were connected to a tower and stationary, you would stay on that tower. 

Evans then questioned Garner about coverage area. Garner explained what a “drive test” is. Garner said the FBI has antennas that measure the frequency of the broadcast and how those antennas broadcast to towers. Garner said that he did not do a drive test around the areas of Makeda’s, the Crosstown apartments or the Valero gas station. Evans then implied that someone could be in a different area and their phone signal could go to a tower close to one of those locations due to their closest tower being busy. Garner testified that they would also not know if a tower was down, which would affect coverage area. 

2:07 p.m., September 25 – Trial resumes

Trial resumed after a nearly two-hour lunch break. Justin Johnson entered the courtroom at 2:07 p.m. Prior to the lunch break, prosecutor Paul Hagerman questioned an expert witness about Justin Johnson’s cell phone movements on the day before the murder and the day of the murder. The expert witness testified that Johnson’s phone pinged off of a cell phone tower near the scene of the murder during the timeframe of the crime. Defense attorney Luke Evans is expected to cross-examine the expert witness, Michael Garner, and introduce an expert witness of his own. 

10:13 a.m. – 12:23 p.m., September 25 – Second witness of the day, cell phone location expert

The second witness called to testify by prosecutor Hagerman was Michael Garner, a criminal investigator special agent with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Garner retired from the Memphis Police Department in June after 20 years with the department. During his career, he played a role in the Lorenzen Wright murder trial. He was involved with digital forensics after being assigned to the organized crime unit in 2018. 

Garner testified about his experience with digital forensics. He said he’s had almost 1,300 hours of digital forensics training. 

Hagerman’s questioning began with call detail records. When you sign up to a service with a cell company, that company can monitor your accounts usage. A call detail record shows a record of your calls, ingoing and outgoing messages and data usage. Those records also have tower usage on it. Your cellphone uses radio waves that transmit to a tower that then relays your communication, Garner said. Those towers are always changing, Garner said. he said he keeps up with which company owns which tower through the FBI. Garner said that over a third of his 1,300 training hours are in cellar analogy. 

All of this established Garner as an expert in call detail records with an emphasis in location and digital forensics. A

CELL PHONE LOCATION

Garner prepared a 73-page report in regard to the Young Dolph murder case. In going over the report, Garner testified that it’s impossible to pinpoint exactly where a cell phone is at any point in time. Instead, investigators are able to tell what area a cell phone is in. So, for example, investigators can tell that a cell phone is in Uptown and not Midtown. Garner also testified that cell phones don’t communicate with the nearest tower. They reach out to the next available tower. If a tower is full, it can reach out to the next available tower. But, it’s unlikely that a phone would need to expand to four or five towers to find service. 

WHERE WERE THE SUSPECTS PHONES?

Garner said that he received call detail records for Justin Johnson’s cell phone and Cornelius Smith’s cell phone. Those records had tower information, Garner said. Garner did analysis on Johnson’s pone for the time period between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. on November 17, 2021, the day Young Dolph was murdered. On Smith’s phone, Garner ran analysis between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.

A document received from T-Mobile showed details regarding a phone purchased by Justin Johnson’s sister. The second set of call records showed details for a phone registered to Smith. Garner was asked if he was able to determine from those records if the phone purchased by Johnson’s sister left the Crosstown Concourse, if it went to the Valero gas station, if it returned to Crosstown, if it left the apartment building and if he could determine where the phone was at the time of Young Dolph’s murder. Garner was also asked to determine if the phone went to the Gospel Gardens apartments and if it returned to Crosstown after that. 

There was no activity on Smith’s phone between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., Garner said. 

Garner said he was able to tell the duration of calls on those devices. Duration of call indicates the length of time between hitting the call button and the end button, not necessary if two people spoke on the phone. Garner said that text messages through T-Mobile do not have tower locations. 

Justin Johnson’s phone

According to Garner, from 1 a.m., to 2:35 a.m. on November 17, Johnson’s phone accessed a tower that covered the Crosstown apartments. During that time, Garner said, at least 12 different outgoing and incoming calls happened on Johnson’s phone. 

A call from Johnson’s phone hit a tower near the Valero gas station at Park and Highland at 3:17 a.m. At 4:49 a.m., Smith’s phone connected to the tower that provides coverage to the Crosstown Concourse, Garner said. 

At 9:56 a.m. on November 17, an outgoing call from Johnson’s phone pinged off a tower that provides coverage to the Crosstown Concourse, Garner said. Two other calls also connected from Johnson’s phone to the tower. One of those was a three-way call, Garner said. 

At 11:30 a.m., Garner said that Johnson’s phone had left the Crosstown apartments. At 12:06 p.m. and 12:09 p.m., Johnson’s phone connected to two towers nearby each other in the area just to east of Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies. Just north of the homicide scene, Johnson’s phone connected to a tower at 12:17 p.m., Garner said. Garner said that location was about four to ten minutes from the homicide scene. 

After a short recess, trial resumed at 11:45 a.m. Garner said there was a data session with Johnson’s phone at 12:22 p.m. on November 17. At that time, Garner testified, Johnson’s phone connected to a tower that could provide service for Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies, where Young Dolph was shot to death. 

At 12:23 p.m., Johnson’s phone received a call that accessed a tower facing East at Airways and Lamar, North of the homicide scene. Garner said, without testing, it would be impossible to say if that tower could or could not provide service to Makeda’s. That call was not answered and a voicemail was left. The call also connected to the tower servicing Makeda’s. Garner testified that the call connecting to two towers did not necessarily mean that the phone was moving. 

About 30 minutes after the homicide, Johnson’s phone pinged off a tower that services the Gospel Gardens Apartments, Garner testified. Between 12:58 p.m. until 1:57 p.m., Johnson’s phone connected to that tower for 26 phone calls, Garner said. From 2:22 p.m. until 5:23 p.m., 44 calls from Johnson’s phone connected to a tower in Hickory Hill, according to the expert witness. 

The next 13 calls from the phone show that the phone moved north from the Hickory Hill tower. From 12 p.m. until 1 p.m., Smith’s phone connected to towers around Lamar and Semmes for five calls, Garner said. At 12:04 p.m., Johnson called Smith, the call records show. 

Between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., every call that hit the phone was an incoming call and all of those calls went to voicemail. During that time, Johnson’s cell phone connected to a tower that could serve Bradley Street, where the white Mercedes was discovered. From 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., 17 calls came into Johnson’s phone. At 2:39 p.m., Johnson’s phone made an outgoing call. Between 3 p.m. and 3:20 p.m., Johnson’s phone accessed a tower in Orange Mound and 13 incoming and outgoing calls were made, Garner said. Between 3:20 p.m. and 4 p.m., the device connected to several different towers across the city, according to the expert witness. Between 3:40 p.m. and 3:55 p.m., Garner said that the phone was in Downtown Memphis. 

Between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., the phone connected to towers for two calls. One of those calls connected to the tower that covers Bradley Street, Garner said. 

Johnson’s phone accessed a tower near the Crosstown Concourse from midnight until 2:35 a.m. on November 17, Garner said, as well as a tower that could provide coverage for the Valero gas station. It then returned to the Crosstown area by 4:49 a.m. Johnson’s phone stayed in that area from 9:56 a.m. until 11:56 a.m. and then hit a tower near Lamar and Semmes from 12:02 p.m. to 12:10 p.m. It was during that time that Johnson’s phone called Smith’s phone, prosecutor Hagerman said. Between 12:22 p.m. and 12:23 p.m., the time of the murder, the device hit a tower in the area of 2730 Airways Boulevard, just down the street from the scene of the crime. 

After that, Johnson’s phone went to the area of Shelby Drive and Tulane Road from 1 p.m. until 1:59 p.m. It then went to Hickory Hill Drive and Valley Drive from 2:22 p.m. until 5:26 p.m. The phone then hit a tower near Walnut Grove and Humphreys Boulevard at 5:42 p.m. 

10:07 a.m., September 25 – Cross-examination of first witness

Abdul-BaaQee testified that he went to Crosstown for videos twice because officers could not get anything the first time they visited the apartments. The lieutenant said that the apartment complex needed to get a technician to come in and download the bookmarks. 

The lieutenant testified that it’s not uncommon for timestamps on security footage to be inaccurate. Abdul-BaaQee said he confirmed the time by watching the live view at the apartment, but that he was not watching the videos when they were recorded on November 17. Officers went back to review archived footage. Evans, the defense attorney, pressed the lieutenant on the fact that he could not confirm that the time stamp was accurate on November 17, that he could not testify if the videos had been corrupted, edited or changed in any way. The lieutenant said that he could not, he could only saw that, when viewing the video lived, he checked the actual time to confirm that the system was showing the proper time. The lieutenant said that he never questioned if the time on November 17 was inaccurate, only that officers followed proper protocol with the technician to make sure that the time was accurate when the videos were retrieved. 

9:54 a.m., September 25 – First witness of the day, prosecution admits mistake

Prosecutor Paul Hagerman first called Detective Ma’Hajj Abdul-BaaQee who was assigned to the MPD homicide unit in 2021. Abdul-BaaQee was assigned to the unit that worked the case of Young Dolph’s death. The detective said that he went to the Crosstown apartments to get video footage related to the investigation. He said he got surveillance footage from the building from November 16 and 17 of 2021. The detective said many camera angles were obtained. The detective said those videos accounted for the comings and goings of a man in a bass pro hat, alleged by Hagerman to be Johnson. 

After reviewing the footage with the security officers, the detective said he saw that the time on the video was the true time on the security cameras. Hagerman explained how he showed the jury the videos in question the day before. Hagerman talked about a mistake made the previous day. The wrong time stamp was on a video that supposedly shows Johnson at the apartment’s elevator on the morning Young Dolph was murdered. Hagerman said the mistake had to do with a black screen that was used when making the videos into a reel. The prosecutor claimed responsibility for that mistake and then showed videos from the apartment complex. The detective identified the time stamp on the video. The black screen with the mistake on it, shown to the jury the day before, was off an hour, Hagerman said. The detective said that the video, showing Johnson at an elevator inside the apartment building with a girl Hagerman identified as Johnson’s daughter, had the true time stamp of 10:49 a.m. on November 17. 

The timestamp being off an hour could have disrupted the prosecution’s outline of the the murder. Hagerman claimed that Johnson left the apartment building in the white Mercedes shortly before the murder. Hagerman and Abdul-BaaQee watched the videos again and re-established the prosecution’s timeline of events. Hagerman asked to introduce the new videos into evidence. This request was met with hesitation by the judge who asked how the two pieces of evidence, the video with the wrong time stamp and the video with the right time stamp, would be kept separate.  The attorneys approached the bench to discuss the issue privately with the judge. The video with the right time stamp would put Johnson leaving the apartment building about 90 minutes before the shooting, not around 30 minutes as originally put forth by the prosecution. Abdul-BaaQee testified that he watched the videos, with the proper time stamps, before they were ever put into reels. 

9:37 a.m., September 25 – Day Three begins

Day Three of Justin Johnson’s trial for the murder of Memphis rapper Young Dolph began at 9:35 a.m. Both Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman, the lead prosecutor, and Johnson’s defense attorney Luke Evans began by giving the judge their expectations of the day. 

The jury entered the courtroom at 9:42 a.m. 

4:30 a.m., September 25 – Day 2 Recap

More testimonies will take place Wednesday during Day 3 of the Young Dolph murder trial.

On Tuesday, Justin Johnson’s half-brother — Jemarcus Johnson — testified about Justin’s connection to confessed shooter Cornelius Smith. He also testified about the connection to Big Jook, who was Yo Gotti’s brother.

Prosecutors said Big Jook ordered the hit on Young Dolph.

Testimony also included one of the investigators who talked about what police learned with Johnson’s involvement.

4:07 p.m., September 24 – Cross-examination of Jermarcus Johnson

Luke Evans, the defense attorney of Justin Johnson, asked Jermarcus if he knew Justin Johnson to be an aspiring rapper. Jermarcus said that he did. Jermarcus testified that he had run Justin Johnson’s social media accounts in the past and that Justin Johnson’s request was not an unusual thing to be asked. 

That was the only question Evans asked Jermarcus Johnson. 

3:40 p.m., September 24 – Testimony of Jermarcus Johnson

After a 20-minute recess, the jury reentered the courtroom at 3:42 p.m. Prosecutor Paul Hagerman called to the stand Jermarcus Johnson, the half-brother of Justin Johnson. Jermarcus Johnson pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact for taking possession of Justin Johnson’s phone and communicating with admitted killer Cornelius Smith after the murder of Young Dolph. At the time of the trial, Jermarcus Johnson had not been sentenced. Hagerman told the witness that telling the truth at the trial would weigh on a judge’s decision at sentencing. Jermarcus Johnson had never been arrested before the case. 

Jermarcus testified that he grew up in a different household than his brother Justin Johnson and that they two would see each other with the frequency of cousins. 

In November 2021, Jermarcus testified that he knew Young Dolph was a rapper and that he was not a part of the plan to kill Young Dolph. Jermarcus said that he was never part of a plan to kill any artists of PRE, Young Dolph’s record label. During 2021, Jermarcus said that he might have seen Justin Johnson two or three times and that the two did not share friends, including Treon Ingram. During the time of the murder, Jermarcus said he was living at an apartment complex in East Memphis. 

After the murder of Young Dolph, Jermarcus said that Justin Johnson contacted him about bringing Jermarcus a rental car. Justin Johnson knew that Jermarcus did not have a car at the time, the witness testified. Jermarcus said that Justin Johnson brought him a white Chrysler. When Justin Johnson pulled up, Jermarcus said Justin had two phones and was switching numbers from one phone to the other. Jermarcus said that Justin was going to give him one of his two phones to manage his social media and check his emails. Jermarcus said that Justin wanted him to post videos and content to his social media. Justin provided no explanation to Jermarcus why he needed his half-brother to post to social media for him and did not tell him that he was going out of town, the witness testified. 

Jermarcus Johnson said that Justin Johnson received two phone calls while they were together before getting into a white SUV. Jermarcus said that he would contact Justin and let him know whenever someone tried to reach Justin Johnson on the phone that was given to Jermarcus. Jermarcus said that he helped Justin Johnson have a three-way conversation with a man who went by the name “C”. Jermarcus Johnson said that he later learned that “C” was Cornelius Smith, another defendant in the case who admitted to taking part in the murder of Young Dolph. Some of a conversation between the two, according to Jermarcus Johnson, had to do with money. Jermarcus Johnson said text messages between Smith texted Johnson’s phone which was in his possession. Jermarcus Johnson said that Smith’s text were about money and that Smith asked Justin Johnson if he had talked to “Unc.” Jermarcus Johnson said he later learned that Unc was Big Jook, Yo Gotti’s brother and part of the record label CMG. Prosecutors alleged that Big Jook put out a $100,000 hit on Young Dolph. 

Jermarcus Johnson said that police later came to him and that he gave officers Justin Johnson’s phone and told them that Justin Johnson gave it to him. Jermarcus Johnson said that he posted two pictures to Justin Johnson’s social media accounts, one of food and one of a pair of Jordan’s. Before he got arrested, prosecutor Hagerman claimed that Justin Johnson posted pictures to his social media accounts himself. Those pictures included him holding a lot of money and of him in a Rolls-Royce. 

Assistant District Attorney Hagerman ended his questioning of Jermarcus Johnson. 

Court ended for the day just after 4 p.m. Testimony is expected to resume at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 25. 

2:46 p.m., – September 24 – Defense cross-examination

Luke Evans, defense attorney for Justin Johnson, then began cross-examining Khistan Garner. Evans claimed that Garner did not admit to directly knowing that the car was given to Johnson. Garner said that Treon Ingram told him Johnson was in the car when he got into the Infiniti. Garner said he’d been investigated by law enforcement “too many times” and at least twice in regards to Young Dolph’s murder.

Evans said that the first time Garner spoke to law enforcement was on November 23. Evans claimed on the stand that he did not know the Mercedes Benz was stolen. Evans claimed that was not true. Evans testified that he did not know how the Mercedes was obtained, that the person who had it worked at a garbage company and that he was not a part of the carjacking. Garner said he needed a ride on the night the Mercedes was swapped and that he didn’t question it when the Ingram wanted to trade it for an Infiniti. “That’s his business. That’s what I thought,” Garner said. Garner said he thought the person who had the car had guns for protection. “Protection. This Memphis,” Garner said. Garner also said there were “plenty guns in the car.” 

Garner also claimed that he didn’t know there were tags from multiple states in the car and that he didn’t change the car’s tags. “All I did was be in the car and go places I wanted (Ingram) to take me,” Garner said. 

Evans then questioned if he knew that Ingram stole cars. The defense attorney asked him if he told police that Ingram stole cars. Garner said that if police had a report from his interview saying that it “seems like it” that they got it wrong. Garner said that he told police he had never been in the Mercedes when he found out that Young Dolph died. Garner said he then told police that the only time he was in the Mercedes was when he wanted a ride. 

Evans then asked Garner about the Valero video. The defense attorney claimed that Garner previously told police that he had never been to the gas station. “I didn’t want to tell them nothing really,” Garner testified. “You even were shown a picture of yourself pumping gas and said you didn’t know who that person was, right?” Evans asked. Garner said, “Yes, sir.”  

Garner previously testified that he didn’t know why Johnson was getting the Mercedes. But, when Garner was previously interrogated by police, Evans claimed that Garner told police that he knew Johnson needed the car to “slide up on his baby mamma.” Garner said, “That was just a comment that was made. I ain’t in none of their business. I was just a person sitting in the car. I don’t know what they were doing.” 

Garner said that he was with Ingram on the day Young Dolph was murdered and that Ingram dropped him off in Raleigh in the Infiniti. Evans said that, at the time, people were trying to put Garner’s name into the Young Dolph murder. Garner agreed to this and said that he realized the day after the murder that the car he was in had something to do with the shooting. “That’s my family. They know what car we were in.” Garner said that he is a cousin to Young Dolph. Garner said that he “called the people that were related”  and told them that he was in the Mercedes. Garner refused to say who those people were. “They’re not in this,” Garner said. 

Garner said that Ingram was trying to “get the (Mercedes) gone” before the murder and didn’t know why he wanted to get rid of the car. That was “a week or two” before Young Dolph was murdered, according to Garner. 

Garner explained his alleged connection to Young Dolph’s family by saying, “Everybody grew up with each other. Everybody know everybody. This Memphis. Everybody know everybody. We got done calling them (Young Dolph’s relatives). They didn’t want to get it. They didn’t want nothing to do with it. So, I guess he gave it to Drop.”

Garner said that he called “multiple people” after seeing the car on the news to let people know that he wasn’t involved in the shooting. He said police came for him a couple of days after the murder. Evans claimed that Garner started lying then and trying to hide his involvement. Garner then emphasized that he didn’t have anything to do with the murder of Young Dolph. “Mr. Garner, we’ve learned today that you had quite a bit to do with it,” Evans said and ended his cross-examination. 

2:30 p.m., – September 24 – Second witness of the day 

Khistan Garner, an inmate on felony drug charges, was the second witness of the day. Prosecutor Paul Hagerman began by asking Garner about the day the Valero video was taken. Garner admitted to being at the Valero and said that he was at a neighborhood house with other people before going to the gas station. Ingram was one of those people, Garner said. Garner said he could “not tell” if he saw Justin Johnson at that house. 

Garner said that he was in a Mercedes Benz. He then identified the Mercedes Benz as the same car used in the murder of Young Dolph. Garner said he did not know the car was stolen or where it came from. Garner said that “Straight Drop” was at the neighborhood house and that he came in a truck. That truck was a white Ford Expedition, Garner testified. At some point, the group left the house with Garner behind the wheel of the white Mercedes. An Infiniti also left the house. Johnson was in that Infiniti, Garner testified. When the two vehicles got to the gas station, he said Johnson got into the white Mercedes Benz and that Garner got into the Infiniti. 

Garner then identified himself in a picture at the gas station and of the Mercedes that Garner admitted to giving Johnson. Garner said he didn’t know what Johnson would do in that vehicle, that he was not in a conspiracy and that he never spoke to anyone about killing Young Dolph. “That’s my family. I wouldn’t do that,” Garner said. When asked who he was talking about when he said “That’s my family,” Garner said, “Young Dolph.” 

1:54 p.m., September 24 – Court resumes with cross-examination 

After a lunch break, court resumed at 1:55 p.m. Defense attorney Luke Evans resumed court by cross-examining retired MPD detective Terence Dabney. 

Evans began by questioning Dabney about the evidence gathered at the scene. Evans got Dabney to admit that the shell casings were consistent with any .40-caliber gun. Dabney again testified that the murder weapons were never recovered. Dabney testified that he was not aware of any testing done to match the bullets recovered from the crime scene and the bullets recovered from Young Dolph. 

Evans then questioned Dabney about the white Mercedes. Prosecutor Hagerman asked Dabney if he canvassed the area for any video. Dabney said no video was recovered from the area where the car was discovered. He also mentioned that officers learned Hernandez Govan lived across the street.  Dabney said that investigators went to Govan’s house while looking for footage. Dabney said that he did not recall Cornelius Smith, admitted gunman, telling authorities that Govan had cameras facing the abandoned house where the car was discovered. Dabney said that if investigators were aware that Govan had cameras, someone would’ve followed up on that lead. However, investigators were never made aware that Govan had cameras. 

QUESTIONING EVIDENCE 

Dabney said that he was unsure if there were bullet holes in the Mercedes when it was discovered. The retired detective said that a window may have been broken out. In photographs shown to Dabney, the passenger side window can be seen missing. Dabney did not recall broken glass anywhere inside or outside of the car. Evans then established, again, that Justin Johnson’s fingerprints were not recovered from the vehicle. The defense attorney then went over the case of DNA in the car. Touch testing was done on at least eight places inside the car, according to Evans. Dabney testified that there was a report that there was DNA recovered but no match made. Typically, when DNA testing is done, the results come back from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on letterhead, Evans said. The defense attorney said chapstick was recovered from inside the Mercedes and sent to the TBI for testing. DNA from that chapstick matched a male, Evans said. Dabney testified that he could not say whether or not the touch testing DNA was ever sent. Evans said that, if the touch samples were not sent for testing, that would be a problem for the investigation. “It could be,” Dabney said. Evans said that touch testing DNA could show investigators who touched that part of the car and, if it wasn’t tested, it would’ve been an “avenue for establishing facts” that would’ve been left unattended. Dabney previously testified that no blood evidence was found in the car. Evans began talking about Blue Star, a spray used to detect blood inside a vehicle and said that it could even show blood on things that people thought they had wiped clean. The Blue Star reacted to something in the car, Evans said. Dabney said he’s been told that if Blue Star reacts to something, it’s typically a sign that blood is in the area. Evans asked Dabney if he’s aware of any testing done on any of the Blue Star samples. Dabney said he was not aware. Evans said that if that testing was done, it would have been pivotal to the investigation. Dabney agreed with this. 

THE CROSSTOWN, MAKEDA’S AND VALERO VIDEOS

Evans then shifted questioning to the video from the Valero gas station. Dabney testified that it was impossible to tell if someone got out of or into the white Mercedes. 

Regarding the videos from the Crosstown apartment complex, Dabney testified that he could not tell who was in the Mercedes that pulled into the parking garage. Evans said that the video does not show the man in the gray sweatpants, black hoodie and black shoes get into or out of any car. The prosecution claimed that person was Justin Johnson. Dabney testified that he could not tell if the person exiting the parking garage in the white Mercedes was Justin Johnson. 

The prosecution showed video that apparently showed Justin Johnson walking through the Crosstown apartment complex. Evans pointed out that, in those videos, the man the state claimed to be Johnson was not wearing gloves. The man in the video was also seen with a little girl, identified as Johnson’s daughter, who the defense assumed would have been in the white Mercedes too, had Justin Johnson been in the white Mercedes. 

In the video from Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies, a shooter can be seen with sagging pants and underwear showing. The prosecution claimed that the same man was seen in video at the Tulane Apartments. Both videos show a man with underwear showing above his pants. Dabney testified that, nowhere in the written timeline, was the underwear in both cases documented as being blue. Dabney said that he filed that information away in his head after seeing the videos and that he believes the underwear in both videos was blue. Dabney said that he saw the still images showing the underwear before the trial. Dabney testified that the underwear in both videos is the same color. 

Evans then asked Dabney about his testimony that it would take 10-15 minutes to get from the Crosstown apartment complex to Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies. Dabney testified that Makeda’s is about two miles from where the car was recovered on Bradley Street. 

Evans asked Dabney if he ever came across information about where the mother of Johnson’s daughter lived. Dabney did not recall the address, but did remember driving to an apartment where she was supposed to be living at the time. That apartment, according to Dabney, was a “good distance” away, in the Whitehaven area and closer to the Tulane apartments. Tulane is about 20 minutes away from Makeda’s, Dabney said. Evans then established that the mother of Johnson’s daughter lived about 15-20 minutes away from the Crosstown apartments. 

STATE’S ADDRESSED CROSS-EXAMINATION

Prosecutor Paul Hagerman then reestablished that Dabney was retired and that the case continued after Dabney retired. Hagerman then established that there were some things that happened and decisions that were made after Dabney was off the case. Dabney then asked Dabney if he was aware that Blue Star reacts to bleach and other cleaning products. Dabney said he was not aware of that. 

9:54 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., September 24 – First witness

Terence Dabney was the first witness of day two. Prosecutor Paul Hagerman was the first to question Dabney, who retired from the Memphis Police Department after 26 years. Dabney was assigned to the homicide unit in 2021. Dabney testified that he was a case officer on the Young Dolph murder case. 

Dabney said he would have arrived at the scene of Young Dolph’s murder around 1 p.m. Dabney was responsible for gathering information at the scene and helping process the scene. Dabney testified that there was a large crowd at the scene outside of Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies. The retired officer said that this scene was unlike any other he worked during his years with the Memphis Police Department. Dabney said that MPD collected video from Makeda’s. That video showed the outside and the inside of the store. 

Dabney said that he spoke to witnesses at the scene and took people to the police station for interviews. He spoke to Young Dolph’s brother who was inside the store at the time of the shooting. Dabney said he also spoke to employees of Makeda’s. 

Dabney then looked at 10 pictures showing the scene of Makeda’s after the shooting and Young Dolph’s car. Dabney said that Young Dolph was still there when he arrived at the scene. The process of trying to revive Young Dolph had ended by the time Dabney arrived, he said. 

Hagerman went over a series of photos with Dabney. Dabney said that 40-caliber shell casings, characteristic of a handgun and shell casings of a 7.62, characteristic of an assault rifle, were both found at the scene. Dabney said he watched video of the shooting at Makeda’s and, in his opinion, two shooters using a handgun and an assault rifle shot into the store on the day Young Dolph was killed. 9mm casings were also found in the store. Hagerman said that those shell casings came from Young Dolph’s brother who returned fire at the shooters. 

A photo of a deceased Young Dolph was shown to the jurors. Dabney identified Young Dolph. The photo was not shown publicly in the courtroom, as the other photos were, due to its graphic nature. 

Dabney said that Memphis Police obtained video from the scene and watched it that day. A screenshot from that video showed Young Dolph’s Corvette parked at Makeda’s, a white Mercedes next to it and two suspects. One of those suspects could be seen running away with an apparent gun, the other was standing with an assault rifle pointed toward the store. 

Dabney said that there was no photo showing the face of the two shooters. The retired officer said the lack of a picture showing the shooters’ faces made the picture of the white Mercedes Benz crucial to the investigation. The murder weapons were never recovered, according to Dabney. 

Hagerman then began questioning Dabney about the apartment complex formerly known as the Tulane Apartments. Dabney said MPD had their attention drawn to a white Expedition which lead officers to the apartment complex on Haven Court. Dabney said that officers were particularly interested in a woman who lived at the apartment complex, Justin Johnson’s cousin. 

Hagerman showed Dabney and the jury video from the apartment complex taken 37 minutes after the murder. In that video, Johnson’s cousin can be seen approaching the Expedition. Two men exit the vehicle. Dabney said the men were wearing clothing matching the description of the gunmen from Makeda’s. 

Video also showed a man exiting the apartment building and reach into a Dodge Charger in the parking lot. The man’s pants are sagging and he is wearing blue underwear, matching the sagging pants and blue underwear worn by one of the shooters at Makeda’s, the retired homicide detective testified. 

After seeing the video, Dabney said that officers were interested in speaking with Johnson, his cousin and in finding the Expedition and the Chevy Trax seen at the apartment complex. Dabney said officers also received a tip about a white Mercedes. That vehicle was discovered at an abandoned home on Bradley Street three days after the murder, Dabney said. Dabney said that officers also learned that Hernandez Govan lived in the house across the street from where the Mercedes was discovered. Govan eventually became a suspect in the case. No video was recovered from Bradley Street, according to Dabney.

In the back of the Mercedes was a DeSoto County license plate, Dabney said. The retired detective said that the damage on the car matched the car used in the murder. Dabney said that the car was carjacked in Memphis a few weeks before the murder. Justin Johnson was not a suspect in that carjacking, according to the prosecutor. Hagerman and Dabney said that the main suspect in that carjacking was Treon Ingram. The fingerprints of Cornelius Smith, who admitted to being a gunman, were found on the car, according to Dabney. Various other sets of fingerprints were discovered from the car and items inside the car, including Ingram’s. Dabney testified that no DNA, no blood or any other fluid was found inside the car. The retired detective said that, during the course of the investigation, officers learned that the car may have been cleaned. 

Dabney said that Ingram, the man suspected of carjacking the white Mercedes, was found and taken into custody. After questioning Ingram, officers went to a parking garage in the Crosstown area and to a Valero gas station at the intersection of Park and Highland to find more video of the white Mercedes. In video from the Valero, recorded about nine hours before the murder just after 3 a.m. on November 17, officers saw the white Mercedes. Dabney said that video from the gas station showed a “car trade” where two groups of people swapped cars. 

Video from the gas station showed multiple people in an Infiniti at one gas pump and the white Mercedes at a nearby gas pump. People from both cars talk and then both cars drive to the side of the gas station. Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman and Dabney both agreed that it was impossible to tell if it was Justin Johnson, the defendant, get into the white Mercedes, but both also agreed that the person who got into the car was wearing different clothes than the Mercedes’ original driver. 

Dabney said that officers obtained a series of video from the Crosstown apartments. Those videos were from the day before, the day of and the day after the homicide. Dabney said Johnson is seen in those videos wearing clothing matching those worn by the gunman in the Young Dolph murder. Dabney said Johnson is also seen in video arriving at the apartments in the white Mercedes and leaving an hour before the homicide wearing the same clothes. Dabney said those videos also show Johnson arriving to the apartment complex in a white Expedition and coming back to the apartment complex in different clothes after the murder, packing his bags and leaving again. 

Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman showed video from the Crosstown apartments taken at 7:15 p.m. on the day before Young Dolph was killed. In that video, a white Expedition can be seen going into a parking garage. A man in gray sweatpants, black shoes, a bass pro hat and a black hoodie can be seen entering the building. Dabney testified that Johnson lived on the eight floor of the apartment complex. 

At 11:13 p.m. on November 16, the day before Young Dolph was killed, video shows a white Expedition driving through the parking lot of the apartment complex. A man can be seen entering the building and walk towards the elevators. Wearing the same sweatpants, hoodie, bass pro hat and shoes, the man can be seen exiting the elevators. 

Hagerman showed a video from 2:41 a.m. on November 17, the day of the murder. This video would have been recorded before the footage from Valero was taken. That gas station video was from the 3 a.m. hour. In the 2:41 a.m. video, a man wearing gray sweatpants, a black hoodie and black shoes can be seen getting into the elevator of the apartment complex, exiting the apartment complex and walking into the parking garage. 

At 4:48 a.m. on November 17, after the Valero video was taken and seven hours before the murder, a white Mercedes, identified by Dabney as the same car used in the murder, can be seen entering the apartment’s parking garage. A man in gray sweatpants and a black hoodie can be seen walking through the apartment building and exiting the elevator holding a small child. Prosecutor Hagerman called that child Johnson’s daughter. 

Dabney said it would take about 10 to 15 minutes to get from the Crosstown building to Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies. At 11:51 a.m., about 37 minutes before the murder of Young Dolph, a man in gray sweatpants, a black hoodie and black shoes can be seen getting on the elevator at the apartment building with the child who Hagerman described as Johnson’s daughter. The pair walk to the parking garage and then the white Mercedes can be seen exiting the parking garage. 

At 7:51 p.m., seven hours after the murder, a car – not the Expedition or the Mercedes – can be seen arriving to the Crosstown apartments parking garage. A man in a yellow hoodie, one that matches a hoodie seen on a man from video taken at the Haven Court apartments, can be seen walking through the Crosstown apartments. 

At 8 p.m., about eight hours after the murder, the man in the yellow hoodie, identified by Hagerman as Johnson, can be seen getting on the apartment’s elevator with a suitcase and another bag. 

Dabney testified that still shots from those videos identified Johnson by the tattoos on his hands. 

Dabney said that officers went to the place where Johnson lived and other places and began a citywide manhunt to find him. Johnson was later captured in Indianapolis. Dabney said that officers eventually found Johnson’s phone with his brother Jermarcus Johnson. Jermarcus Johnson pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact. Dabney said that Johnson’s phone was taken from his brother and handed over to the crime lab. 

Hagerman then questioned Dabney about admitted gunman Cornelius Smith. Dabney said that officers spoke to people close to Smith. Hagerman gave Dabney pictures. One of those pictures, known to be Smith, showed him wearing a GAP hoodie. Another photo showed one of the Young Dolph shooters wearing a similar GAP hoodie. After finding and arresting Smith, Dabney said officers obtained his cell phone. The retired detective said that officers also subpoenaed Johnson’s social media, including Instagram and Snapchat.

The court adjourned for lunch until 1:45 p.m. 

9:30 a.m., September 24 – Trial resumes

Day two of Justin Johnson’s trial for the murder of Memphis rapper Young Dolph began at 9:30 a.m. Justin Johnson, the defendant, entered the courtroom. Defense attorney, Luke Evans and prosecutor Paul Hagerman had two separate conversations with the judge before the first witness was called. 

The jury entered the courtroom at 9:53 a.m.

4:15 a.m., September 23 – Day 1 Recap

Testimonies are expected to continue Tuesday.

But on Monday, the first day of the Young Dolph murder trial, there were some bombshell revelations. This included Shelby County Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman claiming in court that Dolph’s murder came after the late brother of rival rapper Yo Gotti put out a “hit” on Dolph’s life.

Alleged shooter Justin Johnson, who’s also known by the rap name Straight Drop, began his trial Monday. The other suspected shooter in the case, Cornelius Smith, admitted to his part and testified against Johnson. 

5:09 p.m., September 23 – End of Day One

Day one of the trial concluded around 5:09 p.m. The judge said that trial will resume at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 24. 

4:47 p.m., September 23 – Third witness

Dr. Juliette Scantlebury, medical examiner and an expert in forensic pathology was the third witness of the day. Dr. Scantlebury performed the autopsy on Young Dolph on November 18, 2021. Dr. Scantlebury looked at photos from the autopsy and described to the jury the injuries she saw on Young Dolph. She also described the clothing and property that were on Thornton at the time of his death.  

A shirt shown to the jury and Dr. Scantlebury showed the shirts Young Dolph was wearing at the time of the shooting. White squares on the shirts showed where bullet holes in the clothing were. 

Recovered from Young Dolph’s body were multiple bullet fragments, Dr. Scantlebury testified. 

Dr. Scantlebury said that the active ingredient of marijuana was discovered in Young Dolph’s body. Young Dolph suffered 20 entry wounds and four exit wounds from gunshots, according to Dr. Scantlebury. The doctor testified that Young Dolph died a homicide of gunshot wounds. 

In cross-examination, Evans, Johnson’s defense attorney, asked if any bullets recovered were in tact. The doctor said that one was.

3:16 p.m., September 23 – Cross-examination of Cornelius Smith 

Luke Evans, defense attorney for Justin Johnson, began cross-examining Cornelius Smith by calling into question what he told law enforcement immediately following his arrest. Smith admitted to lying about having never seen the Mercedes and not knowing Johnson. Smith said that he met with law enforcement three or four times to prepare for the trial. 

Evans claimed that Smith’s original lawyer got $50,000 to represent him in the case. Smith admitted that money came from CMG, the record label of Yo Gotti and Big Jook. “There’s no question that that money was for services rendered, for killing Dolph,” Evans said. The defense attorney said that Smith’s conscious did not bother him when he got the money to retain an attorney. “You didn’t think then, ‘Man, I really shouldn’t get money for killing somebody,” Evans said. 

Regarding the picture of Johnson with his suitcase packed, taken after Dolph’s murder, Smith admitted that he doesn’t know if Johnson was ever paid for the hit on Young Dolph.  

Evans claimed that Smith got a lawyer in March and met with law enforcement in March 2022. “You said you had a change of heart and you wanted to tell the truth. When did that happen?” Evans asked. Smith said he had this change of heart after he was arrested and sobered up. Smith was arrested on December 9. Smith said that Johnson sent him a letter saying, “Cut (Johnson) loose and take Jook and (Govan) down with (Smith).” Smith admitted to not getting that letter directly from Johnson and not seeing Johnson write the letter. 

Smith met with prosecutors in August. “So, today, for the first time ever, you testified that you wiped that Mercedes down,” Evans asked. Smith admitted that he never told detectives that he cleaned the Mercedes. Evans asked Smith why he never told detectives about wiping down the car. Records show that Smith told detectives “Justin said that he had someone wipe the car down.” “Stuff slip a person’s mind too,” Smith rebutted. 

Smith said that he wiped the car down “a couple of days after the shooting.” Smith testified that he told Govan that he was going to go into the backyard and wipe the car down. According to Evans, Smith never told law enforcement about that conversation with Govan. “Stuff slip a person’s mind at the time. When law enforcement question me, I’m not going to remember everything right there, bit for bit,” Smith said. 

Evans said that law enforcement asked Smith about the $800 he was allegedly given after the shooting. The defense attorney clarified that Smith testified that Johnson hand delivered a letter with $500. Smith said that he was on a phone with Johnson and a neighbor at the time of that delivery. Evans then questioned Smith and implied that he could not remember the details about the alleged payments because was lying. 

Evans asked Smith if he said that he could “get up on Dolph real easy” because he knew where Young Dolph’s aunt lived and that he saw him over there once a week. Smith denied every saying that. 

Evans asked Smith if he expected to get consideration after his testimony. Smith said he did not and that he was testifying to get everything on his chest and feel better. But, according to Evans, Smith told his sisters a different story after his arrest in 2022. According to Evans, Smith wrote, “My laywer is trying to tell me my best out is working with the feds, helping them, something I’ve never done in my life…That’s the only way I will not do life in jail.” Evans said that Smith then wrote that he hoped to not do any time because his lawyer represented a suspect in the Holly Bobo case. Evans continued reading Smith’s letter, saying that Smith wrote “they got to let me walk free.” 

Evans then asked Smith why he lied to his family. Smith said he was hoping for the best and trying to “speak it into existence.” Smith said that he realized that Govan had already spoken to law enforcement and realized that “they already know everything.” Smith wrote to his sisters that he met with Govan and that “it seemed like he had a limited time to find someone to pin it on.” 

“You repeatedly say in these letters to your sister that you didn’t do this and you’re only (going to cooperate) to get yourself a deal,” Evans said. 

Evans then shifted questioning to the subject of the $50,000 Smith was given for an attorney. The defense attorney questioned the timeline of the money and when Smith admitted to receiving it. 

Smith admitted that he tried to get his girlfriend to lie for him in order to create an alibi. Evans then asked Smith if he knew, the day before the murder, that he was going to kill Young Dolph. Smith said he was out “looking for somebody.” According to Evans, Smith texted someone on the morning Young Dolph was murdered saying it was “his big day.” Smith said he was referring his daughter’s birthday. Smith admitted to telling his child’s mother that he was going to get her a house and buy her a house. Smith said this was “just game” and that lying and “game” are two different things. When asked if he was lying to the jury, Smith said, “I ain’t trying to run game on nobody.” 

During the shooting at Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies, Smith said that Johnson got scraped on the back by a bullet fired by Young Dolph’s brother. Smith said that would care was done on Johnson after the shooting. Evans said that Smith originally told law enforcement that he was bleeding “really bad.” On the stand,  Smith said he was not bleeding that bad. He clarified by saying that he had been shot before and wasn’t overly worried about the wounds he suffered. According to Smith, Johnson told him that he was hit in the shootout at Makeda’s. 

Evans then questioned Smith about the deal between Johnson and Big Jook. According to Evans, Smith told investigators he “thought” Johnson had the same deal. The defense attorney implied that this contradicted Smith’s testimony that he knew Johnson was given the same deal; $50,000 for the murder of Young Dolph with $10,000 to be paid to Hernandez Govan.  

Evans questioned Smith about how exactly he wiped down the white Mercedes after the shooting. Smith said that he used a towel to wipe down the car and that he was driven to the house by his girlfriend. 

Smith then testified that Govan told he and Johnson to take care of the car because if the police come to him the was going to send the police to his attorney. Prosecutor Paul Hagerman then asked Smith if he ever told him that he was going to walk out of jail. Smith said no, that he always understood that he was going to prison. 

1:48 p.m., September 23 – Cornelius Smith testifies

Court resumed with the testimony of Cornelius Smith, one of the men prosecutors claimed killed Memphis rapper Young Dolph. Smith’s testimony began by him acknowledging that the prosecution made him no promises, that he knew he was not going to go home free and that he knew he was going to prison for his role in Young Dolph’s death. 

Smith said he began using drugs again after his 9-year-old son died in 2020. Smith admitted to lying to police after he was originally arrested on unrelated charges in Mississippi. He said he decided to “tell the truth” because he realized he had been caught and that he “had a conscious.” 

Prosecutor Paul Hagerman showed video of two men shooting into the window of Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies. Smith said, “That was the day we had shot Young Dolph.” When asked who the “we” was, Smith identified Justin Johnson as the second gunman in the video. Smith said that both he and Johnson knew Hernandez Govan and that Govan was attempting to get Johnson a deal with CMG, the record label of Yo Gotti and Big Jook. Smith said that he used to buy drugs from Govan. 

Smith knew Johnson for “a few months” before the shooting, he testified. According to Smith, he and Johnson knew that Big Jook had a “hit on Dolph’s head.” Smith said that Govan told them about that $100,000 hit. Both Smith and Johnson agreed to do the hit, he testified. Smith said that both he and Johnson were going to give Govan $10,000 after the hit and that both gunmen would take $40,000. The two had planned the process for weeks, according to Smith. 

On the day of the shooting, Smith said that Johnson picked him up from his father’s house in Orange Mound. Smith said that both he and Johnson knew that Young Dolph was in Memphis to be a part of a turkey drive. His record label, Paper Route Empire, held these Thanksgiving food drives annually. Smith said that when Johnson picked him up on the day of the shooting Johnson was driving a white Mercedes Benz. In the backseat, Smith said, was a Draco, a semi-automatic weapon, and a handgun. 

Smith said that he and Johnson saw Young Dolph’s custom car while the two were driving. “We were like, ‘There goes Dolph right there,” Smith said. According to Smith, the two began following Dolph and saw him pull into Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies. Smith said that the two “made the block”, “pulled up the backway,” and that he “jumped out and started shooting.” Smith had the semi-automatic weapon at the time of the shooting, he said. 

Hagerman showed video of gunmen shooting into Makeda’s. Smith identified himself and Johnson as the people in the video. “I wasn’t feeling nothing at the time,” Smith said. “I was just trying to get some money…I saw him standing by the window. I just got out of the car and started shooting.” 

After the shooting, Young Dolph’s brother can be seen on video running out of Makeda’s. Prosecutors said that Young Dolph’s brother shot at the two, hitting Smith. Smith said that they did not shoot back. Smith was shot in his shoulder, his arm and his leg. 

Smith said the two sped away from the shooting and went back to Bradley Street. The two switched cars and Facetimed Big Jook to let him know “that was our work,” Smith said. Smith said that Johnson used “jailhouse sign language” to spell out DOLPH and let Big Jook know that the hit had been carried out. 

According to Smith, he and Johnson also spoke to Govan after shooting Young Dolph. Smith said that Govan told them to get “get rid of that car”, referencing the Mercedes Benz. The pair left the car on Bradley Street, near Govan’s Orange Mound home, according to Smith. 

Hagerman then showed video of Smith driving a white Expedition and pulling into a parking lot. A woman, identified by Smith, as a family member of Johnson, approaches the car. Smith gets out of the car, visibly bleeding from a gunshot wound to the shoulder. Another man exits the car. Smith identified that man as Johnson. The second man was wearing  clothes similar to known photos of Johnson taken earlier in the day before the shooting. Smith said, once inside the apartment complex, Smith used a “wound kit” to clean up.  

Smith said that the two cleaned up and that he used Johnson’s phone to text his girlfriend. Smith said that he asked Govan to get his phone out of the glovebox of the white Mercedes. Govan told him to meet him at the car wash to get his phone back, according to Smith. Hagerman then played video of Smith and Johnson leaving the apartment complex. Smith said that he got into his girlfriend’s truck and left the apartment complex. 

Smith said that Johnson planned to get the money from Big Jook while he went to retrieve his phone and get some pills. When Smith met Govan to get his phone back, Smith said that Govan heard that one of them had been shot, that blood belonging to one of them was at the scene, and asked if they had their face masks on at the time of the shooting. Later that day, Smith said Govan “pulled up” at his dad’s house for a second conversation. Smith said that he asked Govan for more money for more pills. According to Smith, Govan pressured them to get rid of the white Mercedes used in the murder. Smith said Johnson had those keys. 

According to Smith, the guns used to murder Dolph stayed in the back of Expedition. Smith said he never saw the guns again and no one ever told him what happened to the guns.  

Smith said he had no problems with Young Dolph. “I didn’t even know Dolph…didn’t meet him a day in my life,” Smith said. Smith admitted that he was not a professional hit man, but said that he was offered $40,000 to carry out the hit. 

Smith said that the Mercedes was moved from the driveway of a home on Bradley Street to the house’s backyard. Smith said that he returned to the car and cleaned it. 

Smith touched based with Johnson several times after the shooting, he testified. According to Smith, Johnson said that Big Jook said it was “too hot” to give them the money immediately following the shooting. Smith and Big Jook had only met one time, he said. According to Smith, he, Govan and Big Jook met at Big Jook’s home. Young Dolph’s murder was discussed at that meeting, Smith said. According to Smith, he and Govan had a conversation about the hit prior to the meeting with Big Jook. It was Govan, according to Smith, that put Smith and Johnson together to carry out the hit. 

Smith said that, while trying to communicate with Johnson about money following the murder, he eventually discovered that he was communicating with Jamarcus Johnson, Justin Johnson’s half-brother. According to Smith, he was eventually paid a total of $800 and given a letter saying that Big Jook advised them to develop a good story if they “get caught up.”

Prosecutor Paul Hagerman gave Smith photos. In one of the photos was a house. Smith said that Johnson shot a rap video in front of the home on Bradley Street, where the Mercedes was discovered, a few weeks before Young Dolph was murdered. In another photo, Smith identified Johnson wearing the same clothes as the gunman in the photo outside of Makeda’s. Smith then identified Johnson getting into an elevator and Johnson “ready to roll” after the shooting. Smith also identified Big Jook in the photos. 

1:00 p.m., September 23 – Court in recess

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy spoke to media during the court’s recess on Monday. Mulroy spoke about the absence of Cornelius Smith, the second alleged gunman, and the investigation into Yo Gotti’s brother Big Jook who was killed after the Young Dolph murder. Mulroy said he hopes to have the murder trial wrapped up by Wednesday. 

11:24 a.m., September 23 – Witnesses testify

Young Dolph’s sister was the first witness called to the stand by the prosecution. She was asked the artist’s sister about Young Dolph’s family and funeral services.

The second witness called to the stand was Young Dolph’s head of security. The head of security was not with Dolph on the day of the murder. Instead, Dolph’s brother was with the rapper at the time. He can be seen on surveillance video getting out of the side of Young Dolph’s car. 

Prosecutor Paul Hagerman asked the head of security questions about the heightened security when it came to Big Jook, brother of Yo Gotti, and members of their record label Cocaine Music Group (CMG). The head of security was asked about past incidents in North Carolina and California involving CMG members. 

11:19 a.m., September 23 – Defense opening statement

Luke Evans, the attorney for Justin Johnson, began his opening statements by urging the jury to pay very close attention to the relationships between Hernandez Govan and Justin Johnson. Evans said that he expects the jury will “hear from Govan” in the case. 

Evans continued to attack Govan’s creditability, saying that he intended to get a 30 to 60 percent piece of Justin Johnson’s potential future earnings. “He gets his claws into Mr. Johnson and what you’re going to hear is, as the process goes on, (Mr. Johnson) is going to sign with CMG. But, there comes a point in the road where what Mr. Govan wants, which is a meal ticket, a payday, and what Mr. Johnson wants, differ,” Evans said. 

In September, Evans claimed Johnson and Govan went to Atlanta to meet Big Jook. Evans claimed it was at that meeting that Johnson decided, “I’m not going to go your way” and split ties with Govan. 

Evans claimed that Govan was angry at that decision that he left Johnson in Atlanta and forced Johnson to find another way home to Memphis. 

The defense attorney also attacked the credibility of Cornelius Smith, the second alleged gunman at Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies on the day Young Dolph was murdered. Evans told the jury that he expects Smith to testify and that he’s been meeting with law enforcement to try to “save himself.” 

“Mr. Johnson sits before you innocent and he’ll remain that way because at the conclusion of this case, once you’ve heard all the evidence and all the testimony, you will not be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that he did this because he didn’t,” Evans told the jury. 

In regards to the clothing Johnson wore on the day of the murder, Evans told the jury “similar doesn’t mean the same for mass produced items.” 

Evans claimed that the white Mercedes believed to be used in the murder had several sets of fingerprints, including those belonging to Cornelius Smith. Johnson’s fingerprints, according to Evans, were not found on the car. “If it was wiped and then moved and then wiped again, as the state suggest, then how are there prints on it?” Evans asked the jury. “They don’t have anything matching Johnson’s DNA.” 

11:12 a.m., September 23 – Prosecution details day of murder

Shelby County Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman said that Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith ditched the white Mercedes used in the murder of Young Dolph in Orange Mound and used Johnson’s vehicle to get away form the area. Hagerman claimed that their cell phones put them in the areas of the scenes. 

Cornelius Smith was shot during the shooting, according to Hagerman. The prosecutor claimed that the pair ditched the white Mercedes after the shooting and, within 45 minutes of the murder, went to the apartment of Johnson’s cousin at the Gospel Gardens Apartments.  That’s where they tried to bandage Smith’s wounds and Johnson changed clothes, according to Hagerman. The prosecutor claimed that phone records tracked the pair’s movements and that the two are recorded on security footage from the apartment. 

Later that night, Hagerman claimed that Johnson went back to the Crosstown apartments. The prosecutor said that Johnson was recorded on video later that night with his “suitcase and everything else, ready to get the heck out of town.” 

10:35 a.m., September 23 – Opening statements

During his opening statement, Shelby County Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman said that Big Jook, the brother of famed Memphis rapper Yo Gotti and part of Gotti’s record label CMG, put out a “hit” on Young Dolph, promising $100,000 to whoever killed Young Dolph who famously had animosity with CMG. 

“Big Jook, the person I told you about before, the number two guy at CMG, he’s put out a hit, a hit, $100,000 to whoever kills Dolph,” Hagerman said. “He has met with Justin (Johnson). He has met with Cornelius (Smith) and they think they’re ready to do it.” 

RELATED: Yo Gotti’s brother ‘Big Jook’ killed in shooting outside Memphis restaurant, police confirm

Hagerman argued that Justin Johnson, also known by his rap name of Straight Drop, was motived to become the record label’s next big artist and planned to take his part of the $100,000 to help escalate his career. 

The assistant district attorney claimed it was Johnson who drove the white Mercedes to Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies on the day Dolph was killed. Hagerman said that Johnson was the man holding a handgun during the shooting. 

Hagerman also showed the jury a photo which he claimed showed Johnson an hour before the murder. In that photo, the man he claimed to be Johnson is wearing an outfit similar to the gunmen seen in the photos from Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies, including the same Bass Pro Shop hat. 

While exiting a parking garage less than an hour before the shooting, Hagerman claimed Johnson was driving a white Mercedes with damage to the backend. Hagerman called it the “exact same car” used in the murder of Young Dolph. “You can get rid of guns. You can wipe down cars. You can disappear in neighborhoods. But it’s not 1981. It’s 2021 (at the time of the murder) and from two o’clock that morning to 12:23 the same day, he is caught, caught, caught, caught, caught again and again. And it’s not just before the murder,” Hagerman said. 

9:30 a.m. September 23 – Justin Johnson appears in court

Justin” Straight Drop” Johnson showed up to court in a blue flannel shirt. The once-amateur rapper will possibly have his former co-defendant, Cornelius Smith, testify against him, FOX13’s Jeremy Pierre reports. Accused mastermind behind Young Dolph’s murder could also testify against Johnson.

8:15 a.m. September 23 – Justin Johnson to stand trial

Sources told FOX13’s Jeremy Pierre that only Justin Johnson will stand trial starting Monday morning. As previously reported, he pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and is scheduled to face a jury from the Nashville area after a defense attorney argued that intense media coverage and social media attention would make it hard to seat a jury from Memphis.

7:15 a.m. September 23 – Young Dolph’s family issues statement

Young Dolph’s family issued a statement over the weekend expressing “their hope for justice.” The full statement — issued through the law firm DR and Associates — is below:

“As the trial approaches on Monday, September 23, 2024, for those accused in the tragic death of Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., known to millions as Young Dolph, his family wishes to express their hope for justice.

‘We remain heartbroken over the loss of Adolph, and we have faith that the legal system will bring justice to all of those involved in this crime. This has been an unimaginable time for our family, but the love and support of the community has given us strength as we continue to process this situation.’

The family expressed gratitude for the continued outpouring of support from fans and the community, which has provided strength during such a difficult time of pain that has been deeply felt across Memphis and beyond.

‘We ask for privacy as the legal process unfolds, and for patience from those who stand with us. We trust that the legal system will deliver justice for Adolph, allowing us, and the community he loved, to begin the journey toward healing.’

The Thornton family encourages the media and public to avoid speculation regarding the trial and to respect the judicial process. Official updates will be provided when appropriate, as well as a press conference to be held at the trial’s conclusion. Further details will be provided once a date has been set.

4:30 a.m. September 23 – Trial set to begin

FOX13 found that an out-of-town jury has been selected for the trial but it is unclear how many of the accused men will face that jury. FOX13 received conflicting information over who will be in court.

There are four suspects in the case: Suspected shooters Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith, alleged mastermind Hernandez Govan and the half-brother of the alleged shooters, Jermarcus Johnson.

Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., was shot and killed at Makeda’s Homemade Cookies on Nov. 17, 2021.

RELATED: Everything we know about the murder of Young Dolph, arrests and court cases

Last year, Jermarcus Johnson pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact. He’s not directly implicated in Dolph’s murder but instead is accused of helping the suspected shooters while they ran from police.

Last month, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office told FOX13 the only trial set to start Monday in Memphis would be Justin Johnson’s. He has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and is scheduled to face a jury from the Nashville area after a defense attorney argued that intense media coverage and social media attention would make it hard to seat a jury from Memphis.

RELATED: Young Dolph murder suspect starts trial on Monday

On Friday, the office sent another email saying it would be Justin Johnson, Hernandez Govan and Jermarcus Johnson — even though Jermarcus Johnson already pleaded guilty. FOX13 has reached out to the office for further clarification.