The second man accused of murdering Younger Dolph is due in court docket as we speak, the place he’s anticipated to plead responsible to killing the beloved rap star.
Cornelius Smith has already confessed to taking pictures the Memphis rapper exterior Makeda’s Cookies in November 2021. His lawyer, Sharon Morales, had informed 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 particular person linked to Dolph’s homicide whose case remained unresolved. His co-shooter, Justin Johnson, bought life in jail plus 35 years after his conviction in September 2024.
Smith testified towards Johnson throughout that trial. He informed the jury in regards to the $100,000 hit Yo Gotti’s older brother, Anthony “Huge Jook” Mims, placed on Dolph’s head.
The taking pictures 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 way in which to the highest of Memphis Hip-Hop. He mentioned Huge Jook had been making an attempt 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 provides to signal with Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group label.
He needed to remain impartial together with his Paper Route Empire. That independence price him his life, in keeping with Smith’s testimony.
Hernandez Govan was purported to be the intermediary who linked the shooters to Huge 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 way in which to trial. The jury convicted him of first-degree homicide and conspiracy to commit homicide.
Smith selected a unique path. His cooperation with prosecutors doubtless helped him get a greater deal than Johnson’s life sentence.
As for Huge Jook, he by no means lived to see justice for Dolph’s homicide. Somebody shot and killed him exterior a Memphis restaurant in January 2024.