The trial for the killing of 36-year-old rapper Young Dolph has been rescheduled to September. The decision was made on June 3 to allow both sides to prepare expert witness testimony on cellphone location records.
The trial was initially set to begin on June 3 but has seen a string of resets and continuances. The trial will take place in Shelby County, Tennessee, and the jury will be selected from outside of Memphis due to the intense media coverage of the case.
Judge Jennifer J. Mitchell rescheduled the trial for Sept. 23. The man charged with the fatal shooting, Justin Johnson, 26, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the November 2021 shooting of Young Dolph, who was buying cookies at the time.
During a February hearing, defense attorney Luke Evans discussed a change of venue motion with Judge Mitchell. The trial was delayed after prosecutors and Mr. Johnson’s lawyer filed a joint motion on May 14 requesting additional time for expert witnesses to examine cellphone location records.
In October, Judge Lee Coffee recused himself from the case after the court expressed doubts about the judge’s ability to remain unbiased in the high-profile case involving the rapper’s murder.
Judge Coffee asked a court clerk to reassign the case to a new judge. This action followed a directive from the Tennessee Court of Appeals, which responded to a motion by Mr. Evans. He argued that Judge Coffee’s neutrality was compromised, particularly after failing to inform the defense of an order that limited Mr. Johnson’s communication with anyone outside the jail except the defense attorney.
Authorities reported that two men exited a stolen Mercedes-Benz and opened fire at Makeda’s Homemade Cookies, then fled the scene. Surveillance footage of the incident was released by the police during their search for the suspects. Cornelius Smith Jr., another defendant, also pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, though his trial date remains unset.
In addition to Mr. Johnson and Mr. Smith Jr., Hernandez Govan has been charged and pleaded not guilty to organizing the killing, with no trial date set yet. Jermarcus Johnson, half-brother of Mr. Johnson, pleaded guilty in June 2023 to three counts of aiding the suspects post-shooting, including facilitating their communication while on the run. His sentencing is pending the outcome of the trial.
Young Dolph, born Adolph Thornton Jr., was also a producer and independent music label owner known for his portrayals of street life and his philanthropic efforts in Memphis.
His music career took off with the release of his debut album, “King of Memphis,” in 2016, which peaked at No. 49 on the Billboard 200 chart. Over the years, he released several successful albums and mixtapes, collaborating with various artists and solidifying his presence in the rap industry. Some of his notable projects include “Bulletproof,” “Thinking Out Loud,” and “Rich Slave,” which became his highest-charting project, debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 in 2020.
Beyond his music, Young Dolph was admired for his efforts in his hometown of Memphis. He was known for giving back to the community through various charitable acts, such as donating to high schools, covering funeral costs for needy families, and hosting annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaways.
Young Dolph’s death prompted an outpouring of grief, and a street named after him in his neighborhood, Castalia Heights, was renamed in his honor posthumously.
The Epoch Times contacted the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office for a statement, but comment was not returned at the time of press.
