On August 20, 2025, a Memphis jury began deliberating in one of the city’s most high-profile murder trials in recent memory: the case against Hernandez Govan, the man accused of orchestrating the 2021 ambush killing of beloved rapper Young Dolph. The trial, which has gripped the Memphis community and the wider hip-hop world, centers on the daytime slaying of Young Dolph—real name Adolph Thornton Jr.—at Makeda’s Homemade Cookies, a bakery on Airways Boulevard that the rapper frequented and supported.
Young Dolph’s death on November 17, 2021, sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and his hometown alike. Known for his chart-topping albums, independent spirit, and deep commitment to giving back, Dolph was in Memphis to distribute Thanksgiving turkeys when he was gunned down. According to a medical examiner’s report, he was shot more than 20 times, with fatal wounds to his head, neck, and torso. Dr. Juliette Scantlebury, the assistant medical examiner who performed the autopsy, testified in court that the rapper’s wounds were concentrated in the neck, jaw, back, chest, and arms, painting a grim picture of the violence that ended his life.
Prosecutors allege that Hernandez Govan, 45, was the mastermind behind the killing, acting as the middleman in a plot that involved a tangled web of rivalries and revenge. They claim Govan hired two men—Cornelius Smith Jr. and Justin Johnson—to carry out the hit, working with them to hide evidence and facilitate payment after the murder. The prosecution’s case rests heavily on the testimony of Cornelius Smith, who admitted to being one of the shooters and described Govan’s role in detail.
Smith took the stand for most of the first day of trial, offering a candid account of his relationship with Govan and the events leading up to the murder. He testified that Govan approached him with an offer to “make some money” through “bounties” placed on Young Dolph and other artists signed to his record label, Paper Route Empire. According to Smith, Govan was to receive a $10,000 cut from the $100,000 bounty allegedly put up for Dolph’s murder. Smith recalled, “I didn’t know anything about Paper Route having no hits,” until Govan told him about them. He said Govan hired him to “do the hits,” and informed him that Young Dolph would be in Memphis for a turkey giveaway—“that’s our opportunity.”
The prosecution introduced cellphone data as evidence, revealing communications between Govan, the shooters, and Anthony “Big Jook” Mims—the late brother of rapper Yo Gotti—regarding the murder and the promised payment. Sgt. Jesse Browning of the Memphis Police Department presented a detailed timeline of calls and messages, which prosecutors argue show Govan’s active role in coordinating the crime. According to The Daily Memphian, Big Jook, who was himself fatally shot outside a restaurant in January 2024, was allegedly the figure who put out the $100,000 hit on Young Dolph and smaller bounties on other Paper Route Empire artists.
Angela Arnold, Cornelius Smith’s girlfriend, also took the stand. She testified that she picked up Smith after the shooting and later drove him to a meeting with Govan at a local carwash. Her account largely corroborated Smith’s version of events, though with fewer details.
Meanwhile, the defense, led by attorney Manny Arora, sought to cast doubt on the prosecution’s narrative. Arora argued that Govan was being framed as a “fall guy,” pointing the finger instead at Big Jook as the true mastermind behind the murder. He challenged the credibility of Cornelius Smith, calling him a “pathological liar” willing to say anything for a lighter sentence. Arora also questioned the validity of the cellphone evidence, noting that none of the communications directly incriminated Govan. He pressed Smith on inconsistencies, such as why Smith would work with Govan if he believed Govan might be cooperating with the FBI—a suggestion Smith dismissed, saying, “Govan was innocent until proven guilty.”
Govan himself chose not to testify in his defense, and the trial wrapped up after just three days of testimony. The prosecution rested its case on the morning of August 20, following Dr. Scantlebury’s graphic description of Young Dolph’s injuries. The defense rested shortly thereafter, setting the stage for closing arguments and the start of jury deliberations that afternoon.
Young Dolph’s killing has been linked by prosecutors to a broader feud between rival Memphis rap factions. They allege that Anthony “Big Jook” Mims, who helped run the Collective Music Group (formerly Cocaine Muzik Group) record label with his brother Yo Gotti, was motivated by diss tracks aimed at him and the label. According to testimony, Big Jook not only put out a contract on Young Dolph but also offered smaller bounties on other artists from Paper Route Empire. This narrative, if proven true, would mark the murder as a tragic escalation in a long-running rivalry within Memphis’s vibrant hip-hop scene.
Justin Johnson, the other shooter named by Smith, was convicted of first-degree murder in September 2024 and sentenced to life in prison, with an additional 35 years for conspiracy and gun charges. Smith, who has yet to be tried for his own role in the killing, has become a central figure in both Johnson’s and Govan’s trials, providing key testimony that prosecutors hope will secure another conviction.
The loss of Young Dolph has left an indelible mark on Memphis. Beyond his musical achievements—which include three albums reaching the top 10 on the Billboard 200, with 2020’s “Rich Slave” peaking at No. 4—Dolph was known for his philanthropy and connection to his community. His murder, carried out while he was preparing to give back to families in need, has been a source of pain and outrage for many Memphians.
As the jury deliberates, the city waits anxiously for a verdict that could bring some measure of closure to a saga that has exposed the dark intersections of fame, rivalry, and violence. The trial has highlighted not only the complexity of the case but also the deep wounds left by Young Dolph’s untimely death—a loss felt far beyond the world of hip-hop.
No matter the outcome, the story of Young Dolph’s life and death serves as a stark reminder of the choices that can mean life and death, as prosecutor Irris Williams put it in her opening statement. For Memphis, and for fans everywhere, the search for justice continues.
