Young murder suspect Dolph found guilty and sentenced to life in prison

Justin Johnson, one of the suspects in the November 2021 murder of Young Dolph (Adolph Thorton Jr.), was found guilty of first-degree murder, as well as conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and possession by a convicted felon of a firearm, according to FOX13.

A jury reached its verdict after deliberating for about four hours during a court hearing in Memphis on Thursday (September 26).

After closing arguments on the fourth day, Johnson was sentenced to life in prison by Judge Jennifer Mitchell for first-degree murder and will hear what happens next on the charges at a court date in November. Johnson never took over the defensive position.

“Every murder is a tragedy, and we take them all seriously,” said Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy. “This film attracted additional public interest because Young Dolph was a prominent and popular member of the community. We will continue to fight hard to ensure that all those responsible for his death are brought to justice.”

Johnson and his suspected shooter, Cornelius Smith, ambushed Young Dolph at Makeda's Homemade Butter Cookies in his hometown on November 17, 2021. They allegedly fired 22 shots while attacking and killing the CEO of Paper Route Empire.

Smith took the stand on Monday (September 23) after pleading guilty to murder charges. He was implicated in Dolph's murder along with Justin Johnson, as well as Hernandez “Quett” Govan and Yo Gotti's brother Anthony “Big Jook” Mims.

Smith claimed that Big Jook had put a $100,000 bounty on Dolph and stated that he and Johnson were set to collect $40,000 each after killing the Memphis rapper.

However, Smith testified that he ultimately only received $800, but Big Jook stepped in and paid $50,000 in legal fees after he was arrested. However, Jook was murdered in January while leaving a funeral.

The same day Dolph was killed was Smith's daughter's birthday. Smith said he didn't have any money and wanted to make sure she had a “great birthday” when he got his hands on the money.

“Man, I tried to please her,” he said in court Monday. “I don't have any money, I'm trying to get some money that day. So I’m trying to make sure my little girl has a great birthday.”

Dolph released seven studio albums and one posthumous LP during his lifetime, Paper route Frankwas released in 2022. He also has four Billboard Hot 100 hits to his credit. The Memphis trailblazer is survived by his fiancée Mia Jaye and their two children. Young Dolph was 36 years old.