Rapper YOUNG DOLPH's killer sentenced to life imprisonment

Saturday, September 28, 2024 – One of the men responsible for the 2021 killing of American rapper Young Dolph has been sentenced to life in prison.

On Thursday, September 26, Justin Johnson was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Young Dolph, born Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., was shot and killed at the age of 36 outside Makeda’s Butter Cookies, a local business in Memphis, on November 17, 2021.

After nearly four hours of jury deliberation, Johnson was convicted on all counts and received a life sentence.

During the four-day trial, co-defendant Cornelius Smith testified that he and Johnson were offered $40,000 each to shoot the rapper.

Smith revealed that Hernandez Govan was the main culprit who organised the "hit". Smith alleges that he was following instructions from Anthony Mims aka Big Jook, the brother of Memphis rapper Yo Gotti.

Mims was allegedly supposed to pay Govan $10,000 for the murder. Mims himself was shot and killed in Memphis in January and no arrests have been made in connection to his death.

Following the verdict, Young Dolph's sister Carlissa Thornton shared an emotional statement with the media.

"On November 17, 2021, our lives changed forever. A son, a father, a brother, a friend, a businessman, a music artist, a philanthropist, and life partner are among just some of the titles that my brother Adolph Robert Thornton Jr. held. Titles that have now left a missing piece in the lives of so many. I want to thank the jury for their service and decision in this case to bring us one step closer to justice for our family, friends, supporters, and the community that has supported us during this time," she said.

“We ask that instead of focusing on those who committed this crime, you focus on that man that Adolph Robert Thornton was... We ask you to remember the man who enjoyed being a father and spending time with his family. We ask that you remember the man who enjoyed giving opportunities to those who were often overlooked and counted out,” Thornton added.