Justin Johnson Convicted in Young Dolph Murder

Justin Johnson has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the 2021 shooting of rapper Young Dolph, receiving a life sentence from the court on September 26. The jury deliberated for four hours following a four-day trial, during which Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy emphasized the significance of the verdict for Dolph's family and the community. Johnson was implicated alongside Cornelius Smith, who testified that they were hired for a $100,000 hit on Dolph, orchestrated by Yo Gotti's brother, Anthony 'Big Jook' Mims. Smith, who had pleaded guilty, claimed that he and Johnson intended to collect the bounty but received little money after the murder. The motives behind the shooting remain unclear, though there are speculations of ongoing issues within the Memphis rap scene. Johnson's conviction marks the first trial in a series expected to address the murder's broader conspiracy, with additional defendants still pending court dates.