Cornelius Smith, Alleged Shooter in Young Dolph Case, Claims He Only Received $800 of $40K Hit Payment

During a courtroom session on September 23, Cornelius Smith Jr., implicated in the murder of rapper Young Dolph, revealed that he was promised $40,000 for the hit but ultimately received only $800.

Smith Jr.’s testimony followed the prosecution’s claims linking rapper Yo Gotti’s late brother, Big Jook, to the crime, asserting that a $100,000 bounty was offered for Young Dolph’s assassination. In the hearing, Smith Jr. suggested that Big Jook was significantly involved in orchestrating the murder of Young Dolph.

The accused disclosed that both he and Justin Johnson had to video call Jook to confirm the execution of the job post-Dolph’s murder. Smith Jr. also noted that he had never personally met Dolph. He mentioned that the financial reward was meant to be divided among three alleged conspirators, including Hernandez Govan, Justin Johnson, and himself.

According to Smith, both he and Johnson were to receive $40,000 each while giving $10,000 to Govan. However, Smith only received $800 prior to his arrest, and he added that Jook paid his attorney $50,000 later on.

Smith Jr. identified both himself and Justin Johnson in the surveillance footage from the day of Young Dolph’s murder.

The three individuals are charged with first-degree murder in connection with Young Dolph’s death, who was fatally shot in Memphis on November 17, 2021. Govan was released on a $90,000 bond and is currently under house arrest, while Johnson has pleaded not guilty and is facing trial.

Prosecutors allege Big Jook placed $100K hit on Young Dolph

On the day of the fatal incident, Young Dolph was shot at Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies on Airways Boulevard. Following the shooting, the Memphis Police Department disseminated images of two armed suspects present at the crime scene. An autopsy report indicated that Dolph sustained approximately 22 gunshot wounds.

The trial related to Young Dolph’s murder commenced on September 23, 2024. In the opening remarks, Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman contended that Anthony “Big Jook”Mims, rapper Yo Gotti’s older brother, offered a $100,000 bounty on Dolph’s head, culminating in his murder.

It is known that Gotti and Dolph had a rivalry, and Gotti’s brother, Big Jook, was killed earlier in January 2024. Initially, Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith Jr. were charged with the first-degree murder of Young Dolph.

According to a report by Fox 13 Memphis, Smith Jr. testified that another suspect, Hernandez Govan, had communicated to him and Johnson about the bounty placed on Young Dolph. The two men reportedly agreed to the deal, with both providing $10,000 to Govan for his information while retaining $40,000 each from the bounty.

On the day of the shooting, Johnson allegedly picked up Smith Jr., as indicated in Smith’s testimony. The duo had prior knowledge that Dolph would be attending a Thanksgiving turkey drive and set out to find him armed with a semi-automatic Draco and a handgun.

Per Smith’s testimony, the pair followed Young Dolph as he made his way to Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies in his distinctive car. They took a back route, exited their vehicle, and opened fire. Smith also recognized himself and Johnson in the police-released video footage from the incident.

“I wasn’t feeling anything at the time. I was just trying to get some money… I saw him standing by the window. I just got out of the car and started shooting,”

Smith articulated during his testimony.

Meanwhile, Johnson’s attorney, Luke Evans, implored the jury to dismiss Smith’s testimony, alleging that Smith was motivated to “prove himself.”Evans contended Johnson’s innocence, arguing that the surveillance footage did not depict his client.

In May, Hernandez Govan faced charges of attempted murder and conspiracy but was released following a house arrest arrangement and the payment of a $90,000 bond. In June 2023, Justin Johnson’s half-brother, Jermarcus Johnson, accepted a deal to testify against his brother and the other defendants.

Jermarcus pleaded guilty to three counts of accessory after reportedly aiding his brother, with a potential sentence of six to twelve years in prison. He claimed he facilitated communication between Johnson and Smith while they evaded law enforcement.

Cornelius Smith Jr. followed suit and agreed to testify against Johnson after facing additional charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and theft. However, District Attorney Steve Mulroy informed ABC 24 that Smith Jr. declined to comment on Govan, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

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