Murder of Young Dolph: Closing argument in the trial of Justin Johnson

MEMPHIS, Tennessee – After closing arguments this morning, the jury began deliberations around noon Thursday in the trial of the man accused of murdering Memphis rapper Young Dolph.

When the fourth day of the trial began on September 26, 2024, the defense concluded its argument without calling a witness.

On Wednesday, Justin Johnson briefly took the witness stand, but stated that he would not testify on his own behalf.

After the defense presented its statement, the judge explained to the jury the charges against Johnson.

Count 1 of the indictment:

• Conspiracy to commit premeditated murder
  • Lesser offense
    • Aiding and abetting, namely conspiracy to commit premeditated murder

Count 2 of the indictment:

• First degree murder
  • Lesser offense
    • Second degree murder
    • Aiding and abetting: premeditated murder
    • Aiding and abetting: premeditated murder
    • Intentional manslaughter
    • Serious bodily harm
    • Aiding and abetting murder
    • Relief, namely: grievous bodily harm
    • Simple bodily harm
    • Relief, namely: simple bodily harm

Count 3 of the indictment:

• Convicted felon in possession of a firearm

The judge said the jury could find Johnson guilty of the original or less serious charges, or acquitted of the charges.

Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., was shot and killed at Makeda's Cookies on Airways Boulevard on November 17, 2021. Police said two men got out of a stolen Mercedes-Benz and fired shots at Makeda's Homemade Cookies, where Young Dolph was making a purchase.

Prosecutors alleged the shooting was part of a rap feud between Dolph's label Paper Route EMPIRE (PRE) and Yo Gotti's Collective Music Group (CMG – also known as Cocaine Muzik Group).

Prosecutors charged Johnson and Cornelius Smith as the suspects who shot Dolph. Smith testified against Johnson, confessed to the murder, and claimed that he and Johnson were offered money for the attack by a third accused man, Hernandez Govan, and Big Jook (Anthony Mims, Yo Gotti's brother who was killed in January 2024).

In opening arguments, the defense said they expected Govan to take the stand, but he did not testify. Govan remains charged in Dolph's death.

Justin Johnson's half-brother Jermarcus Johnson testified for the prosecution. Jermarcus pleaded guilty in October 2023 to three counts of aiding and abetting in exchange for information about other suspects in the case. He faces six to twelve years in prison.

In its closing argument, the prosecution first addressed the charges and explained how the witness statements related to the charges.

“It's not 1981 anymore…” said Assistant District Attorney Irris Williams. “It's hard to keep a secret. It's hard to hide who you talk to. It's even harder to hide what you do. And it's even harder to hide who you know.”

The ADA then reviewed the testimony the jury had heard, including testimony from family and friends as well as expert witnesses.

ADA Williams also went through Smith's testimony piece by piece – how PRE artists murder occurred, how Smith said he and Johnson killed Dolph, the white Mercedes that was used, and what happened after the shooting. The prosecutor said Smith testified that after the shooting, Johnson Facetimed Big Jook and spelled out “DOLPH.”

Williams also reviewed video footage and cellphone tracking evidence that prosecutors said linked Johnson to the shooting at Makeda's. This included video from the Crosstown Concourse, a Valero gas station and the Gospel Gardens – Haven Court Apartments.

The ADA also explained the standard of proof “beyond a reasonable doubt,”

“Reasonable doubt is not 100 percent certainty,” Williams said. “It is not beyond the shadow of a doubt. It is not beyond all doubt. What is required is moral certainty. Certainty that allows you to sleep well at night.”

Hagerman concluded his argument with a quote from Young Dolph.

“Too real,” Hagerman said. “It's time for us to be real.”

As defense attorney Luke Evans began his arguments, he told the jury that they were just about to begin work.

“It's difficult because what you've heard is the tragedy that someone lost their life,” Evans said. “The court will tell you that, as horrific as that is, you cannot take that into account in determining guilt or innocence in this case.”

Evans talked about Johnson as an aspiring rapper (Johnson's rap name was Straight Drop) and that his fate was in the hands of the jury.

“It is never fair to wrongfully convict someone,” Evans told the jury.

Evans told the jury that although they had not been allowed to talk about the case, the time had now come.

The defense also attempted to criticize Smith's testimony, claiming that he testified because his conscience bothered him.

“He did not kill Adolph Thornton Jr. He did not plan the murder of Adolph Thornton Jr.,” Evans said. “And he was not the man with the gun in the Makeda video.”

Evans said the state refused to acknowledge that similar does not mean the same thing when it comes to the suspect's clothing in Makeda's video and the videos that prosecutors say showed Johnson in other locations. He also said there is no video that actually shows Johnson in the Mercedes.

“As a jury, the decision is yours,” Evans said.

The defense also agreed with the prosecution: “It is no longer 1981.” Evans then spoke about advances in forensics, but said that these forensics had no bearing on Johnson.

Evans also reviewed other witness statements, pointing out that he believes other witnesses lied. He also said Johnson was not present at any meetings where Dolph's murder was discussed, including according to Smith's testimony.

“Where is the agreement?” asked Evans. “He wasn't there.”

The defense also pointed out that the jury was responsible for evaluating the credibility of the testimony, particularly Smith's testimony as an “accomplice.” He said Smith had an interest in how Johnson's case turns out and hoped the state would pay special attention to it.

“He plays with everyone and tries to outsmart all of you,” Evans said.

The defense also questioned the prosecution's “mistake” in timestamping the video, saying it made a difference in the timing of events.

Evans also mentioned that Hernandez Govan did not testify as the defense expected, but was a “missing witness” and that there were no videos from Govan's home. He said without Govan's testimony, the jury could not compare it to Smith's.

“Justin Johnson doesn't have to prove anything here. You do,” Evans said, pointing to the indictment.

During the prosecution's rebuttal in closing arguments, Shelby County Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman pointed out that the “missing witness” Hernandez Govan was charged and had the right not to testify and incriminate himself.

Hagerman also addressed some of Evans' arguments, pointing to the evidence presented to the jury. He also said they have Johnson's actual phone, which prosecutors say links him to the murder.

In response to the defense's claim that Smith lied to negotiate a deal with the state, Hagerman responded that Smith talked because he had been caught and wanted a lighter sentence.

The assistant district attorney also pointed out that Johnson fled after the murder and left Memphis when the hunt for Dolph's killer began.