- The trial of Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith, the alleged killers of rapper Young Dolph, has been postponed to September 23.
- The trial was originally scheduled to begin in March, but was pushed back to June and now September due to a joint request from both the prosecution and defense for additional time to prepare expert witnesses.
- Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., was shot and killed in November 2021 in front of a bakery in Memphis.
Newsypeople- Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., better known as Young Dolph, was a prominent American rapper from Memphis, Tennessee, known for his contributions to the Southern hip hop, trap, and Memphis rap genres.
Born on July 27, 1985, in Chicago, Illinois, Young Dolph moved to Memphis with his parents at a young age. His upbringing was marked by personal challenges, including witnessing his parents’ struggle with addiction, leading to his being raised by his grandmother.
He began his music career in 2008 with the release of his debut mixtape, “Paper Route Campaign,” and went on to establish his own independent record label, Paper Route Empire, in 2010.
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New Trial Date Has Been Announced For Young Dolph’s Alleged Murderers
The new trial date for the suspected killers of rapper Young Dolph has been set for September 23. The trial, originally scheduled to begin on June 3, was postponed due to a joint request from both sides for additional time to prepare expert witnesses.
The request came after the prosecution and defense identified the need for expert witnesses to testify about cellphone location records.
Oral arguments regarding these witnesses are scheduled for August 9, with the prosecution presenting two witnesses and Johnson’s team bringing in one.
The trial has faced several delays and complications. The original judge recused herself last October, and the case was rescheduled to begin in March before being pushed back to June.
Young Dolph was fatally shot on November 17, 2021, at a Memphis bakery. Prosecutors claim that Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith exited a stolen Mercedes and shot the rapper while he was inside. Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Two other suspects have been arrested in connection to the killing. Johnson’s half-brother, Jemarcus, pleaded guilty to three counts of accessory after the fact in June. Prosecutors allege that he helped misdirect authorities by taking a car and cell phone from Johnson. Jemarcus has not been sentenced yet and may appear as a witness in the upcoming trial.
Hernandez Govan, who is charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, has not yet been given a trial date.
Shelby County Judge Jennifer J. Mitchell granted the continuance despite her initial reluctance.
“I was extremely upset when the lawyers came to me, asking for a motion to continue this case,” she stated in court. “I was really anxious to get this case over and done with starting this week, but they both expressed to the court the desire to get experts in. So I allowed the continuance to occur.”
Young Dolph Career And Achievement Before Death
Young Dolph, born Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., was a successful independent rapper and entrepreneur from Memphis, Tennessee. Despite facing challenges in his childhood, including growing up with parents addicted to crack cocaine and witnessing violence at a young age, Dolph persevered and found success in the music industry on his own terms.
Dolph began taking rap seriously in his early 20s after the death of his grandmother in 2008, which further fueled his drive to provide for his family. He released his debut mixtape, “Paper Route Campaign,” in 2008 and founded his own label, Paper Route Empire, in 2010.
Over the next decade, Dolph built an impressive catalog of mixtapes and albums, including “Welcome 2 Dolph World,” “A Time 2 Kill,” and the “High Class Street Music” series, which helped establish Paper Route Empire as a prominent independent label.
One of Dolph’s biggest career achievements was his appearance on O.T. Genasis’ 2015 single “Cut It,” which became a hit and marked Dolph’s first top 40 entry on the Billboard 200.
In 2016, Dolph released his debut studio album, “King of Memphis,” which led to a rivalry with fellow Memphis rapper Yo Gotti but also proved Dolph’s ability to compete at the highest level of the industry while remaining independent.
Dolph continued to release successful projects, including the “Gelato” mixtape and “Bulletproof” album in 2017, which featured the Gold-certified single “100 Shots”. His 2020 album “Rich Slave” marked his biggest commercial success to date, debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and producing the hit single “RNB” featuring Megan Thee Stallion.
Throughout his career, Dolph remained dedicated to giving back to his community in Memphis, sponsoring Thanksgiving turkey giveaways, speaking to children at schools, and donating money to his former high school.
He also gifted a Lamborghini to a fan in 2020 and $20,000 to two baristas who were fired for playing his music at work in 2018.
Tragically, Young Dolph was shot and killed in his hometown of Memphis in November 2021 at the age of 36.
His death was mourned by fans and artists alike, and he was remembered as a talented rapper, generous philanthropist, and proud son of Memphis who achieved success on his own terms.
Dolph’s legacy lives on through his music, his business ventures, and his commitment to uplifting his community.
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