MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A judge decided Friday that a Tennessee man who assisted two hired shooters who shot downrapper Young Dolph at a Memphis bakery will not be imprisoned and would instead be placed on six years of probation.
In June 2023, 27-year-old Jermarcus Johnson entered a guilty plea to three charges of accessory after the shooting. Following the daytime ambush, Johnson assisted Cornelius Smith Jr. and his half-brother, Justin Johnson, in communicating via cellphone while they fled from the police.
On September 26, Justin Johnson was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and felony gun possession. He received a sentence of 35 years plus life in jail. Smith, who is facing first-degree murder charges, stated in his testimony during Justin Johnson’s trial that they shot Young Dolph to death.
Jermarcus Johnson was sentenced by Shelby County Judge Jennifer Mitchell to a six-year diversionary program that includes 20 hours of community service annually, drug testing, employment training, and a ban on gun ownership. If he finishes the program successfully, his record can be expunged.
Prosecutor Paul Hagerman told reporters following the sentencing that Jermarcus Johnson was not involved in Young Dolph’s real murder.
Hagerman said that his brother had taken advantage of him. He doesn’t commit crimes.
In November 2021, young Dolph—real name Adolph Thornton Jr.—was shot and killed at a bakery close to his childhood home. The 36-year-old rapper and owner of an indie music label, who is well-known for his charity endeavors in Memphis, was in the city to distribute Thanksgiving turkeys to families when his visit to his favorite cookie store took a turn that startled the entertainment industry.
Smith stated in court that Anthony Big Jook Mims, the brother of rapper Yo Gotti, had released a $100,000 hit on Young Dolph and bounties on every artist signed to Young Dolph’s record label, Paper Route Empire. Smith claimed that he and Justin Johnson were searching for someone and were unsure of who we would apprehend.
They were going in that direction when they noticed Young Dolph’s car because they knew that he and a few of his artists were taking part in the turkey giveaway. Smith claimed that they opened fire in broad daylight after following him to the cookie shop. Young Dolph died at the spot after being struck 22 times.
Prosecutor Hagerman informed trial jurors that Young Dolph rejected a request to work with the Cocaine Muzik Group (now Collective Music Group), a rival record company established by Yo Gotti. Later, young Dolph penned diss recordings that were aimed against the label, its artists, and Big Jook, its number two artist. Earlier this year, Big Jook was shot and died outside a restaurant.
Jermarcus Johnson admitted stealing a car and smartphone from Justin Johnson during the hearing where he entered a guilty plea. Additionally, Jermarcus Johnson recognized a picture in which Justin Johnson was dressed similarly to one of the two gunmen.
During his half-brother’s trial, Jermarcus Johnson also provided testimony. Josh Corman, his attorney, stated on Friday that Jermarcus Johnson was placed in a difficult position.
We all believe it to be a just conclusion, Corman stated.
Hernandez Govan, another man Smith named as Big Jook’s go-between, has entered a not guilty plea to planning the murder. The date of Govan’s trial is March 10.
Following the shooting, supporters turned Makeda’s Homemade Cookies into a makeshift memorial for Young Dolph, putting love and condolence messages on plywood that covered the shot-out windows and praying in the parking lot. After months of closure, the bakery has reopened.
During a game, the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies also paid tribute to him. The city was covered in murals of the rapper.A roadway in the neighborhood bears his name.
Young Dolph put out a lot of mixtapes in the early years of his career. King of Memphis, his 2016 debut, is one of his studio albums. Alongside other artists Key Glock, Megan Thee Stallion, T.I., Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, and others, he also worked on various mixtapes and albums.
Young Dolph’s 2020 album Rich Slave peaked at No. 4, and three of his albums made it to the top 10 on the Billboard 200.
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