At the conclusion of a four-day trial, Justin Johnson has been found guilty on all charges related to the fatal shooting of rapper Young Dolph in Memphis on November 17, 2021. The jury reached a unanimous verdict after approximately four hours of deliberation. Johnson was convicted of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, first-degree murder, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Judge Jennifer Johnson Mitchell sentenced Johnson to life in prison for the first-degree murder charge. Sentencing for the other charges will take place on November 1. Johnson’s defense attorney stated that he plans to appeal the conviction.
During the reading of the verdicts, Johnson showed no reaction while Young Dolph’s family nodded their heads in agreement with each guilty verdict.
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy expressed gratitude towards the trial team and congratulated them on securing a conviction. He emphasized that his office will continue to hold accountable those responsible for Young Dolph’s death.
Hernandez Govan did not testify during the trial as expected by Mulroy earlier in the week. However, Mulroy stated that not every witness needed to be called upon to prove their case.
Johnson’s defense attorney argued that there was insufficient evidence linking his client to the killing. He highlighted that DNA found in the getaway car did not match Johnson’s and pointed out that there is no video evidence showing him getting into the vehicle.
Despite these arguments, they were unsuccessful in convincing Davidson County jurors who delivered a guilty verdict against Johnson. His defense attorney confirmed plans for an appeal.
Young Dolph’s sister, Carlisa Brown, requested continued prayers for her family and urged people to remember her brother as someone who cherished fatherhood and spending time with loved ones. She also emphasized his commitment to providing opportunities for those often overlooked or disadvantaged.
The trial featured testimony solely from prosecution witnesses; no witnesses were called by the defense team.
This is an ongoing story and will be updated accordingly.
