The second man accused of murdering Younger Dolph is due in court docket right now, the place he’s anticipated to plead responsible to killing the beloved rap star.
Cornelius Smith has already confessed to capturing the Memphis rapper outdoors Makeda’s Cookies in November 2021. His lawyer, Sharon Morales, had instructed reporters final month that they have been engaged on a plea cope with prosecutors.
“We anticipate having a responsible plea on February 12,” Morales mentioned in January.
Smith was the final individual related to Dolph’s homicide whose case remained unresolved. His co-shooter, Justin Johnson, received life in jail plus 35 years after his conviction in September 2024.
Smith testified in opposition to Johnson throughout that trial. He instructed the jury concerning the $100,000 hit Yo Gotti’s older brother, Anthony “Massive Jook” Mims, placed on Dolph’s head.
The capturing in South Memphis occurred after Smith and Johnson pulled as much as the cookie store whereas Dolph was inside.
Safety cameras caught the 2 males getting out of a white Mercedes-Benz and opening fireplace via the shop’s home windows. Dolph tried to get away however couldn’t escape the gunfire.
The 36-year-old rapper died on the scene.
Smith’s testimony painted an image of a murder-for-hire plot that went all the best way to the highest of Memphis Hip-Hop. He mentioned Massive Jook had been attempting to get Dolph killed for years.
The meat between Dolph and Yo Gotti’s crew had been simmering since 2017. It began over a record-label dispute. Dolph had turned down a number of presents to signal with Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group label.
He wished to remain unbiased along with his Paper Route Empire. That independence value him his life, in response to Smith’s testimony.
Hernandez Govan was purported to be the intermediary who related the shooters to Massive Jook. However a jury discovered him not responsible on all expenses final summer time.
Govan’s acquittal left prosecutors with simply Smith and Johnson because the triggermen. Johnson fought his case all the best way to trial. The jury convicted him of first-degree homicide and conspiracy to commit homicide.
Smith selected a special path. His cooperation with prosecutors seemingly helped him get a greater deal than Johnson’s life sentence.
As for Massive Jook, he by no means lived to see justice for Dolph’s homicide. Somebody shot and killed him outdoors a Memphis restaurant in January 2024.
