Just over a month after Justin Johnson was convicted of murdering rapper Young Dolph in November 2021, he returned to court on the morning of November 1, 2024.
Initially sentenced to life imprisonment on September 26, 2024, Johnson received charges for first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and possession of a handgun as a convicted felon.
In a recent ruling, Judge Jennifer Mitchell sentenced Johnson to an additional 35 years for the conspiracy charge and 15 years for firearm possession, both of which will run consecutively to his life sentence.
The Shelby County District Attorney’s office pushed for these consecutive sentences, advocating for maximum penalties of 40 years for conspiracy and 20 years for the firearm charge.
Johnson’s defense team argued against the harshness of the consecutive sentences, claiming they were “excessive”and contending that he was not a leading figure in the offensive act. Attorney Luke Evans expressed, “The individuals that were on the ground in front of that cookie store that day were not leaders in an offense. They were manipulated by others.”
Under his murder conviction, Johnson will not be eligible for parole for 50 years, making his eligibility contingent upon turning 70.
Understanding the Motive: Theories Behind Young Dolph’s Murder
Young Dolph, known as Adolph Thornton Jr., was tragically killed on November 17, 2021, being shot 22 times outside Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies in Memphis while distributing Thanksgiving turkeys to local families.
Two gunmen in a white Mercedes struck in broad daylight during this charitable event.
Johnson, 24 at the time, also known as Straight Drop, and his co-defendant Cornelius Smith, 32, were apprehended in January 2022 and charged with first-degree murder.
During the trial, prosecutors suggested that Johnson was motivated by promises of financial gain and a potential record deal for executing the hit on Young Dolph. Testimonies indicated that Johnson was in negotiations with the Collective Music Group (CMG), founded by rapper Yo Gotti, whose brother allegedly placed a $100,000 bounty on Young Dolph.
Furthermore, Smith testified that additional bounties had been placed on other artists connected to Dolph’s record label, Paper Route Empire. Prosecutor Paul Hagerman argued that CMG had tried to sign Dolph, who declined, opting instead to forge his own path.
Johnson’s defense countered that Smith’s testimony was self-serving and lacked credible evidence to place Johnson at the crime scene, but prosecutors produced surveillance and cellphone records corroborating Smith’s claims.
Notably, allegations surrounding the involvement of Big Jook, associated with CMG, echoed out just months after his own untimely death in January 2024—a situation labeled as a targeted attack by police investigators.
Recapping Justin Johnson’s Arrest and Trial
As reported by Rolling Stone, Justin Johnson was evading capture when he was arrested in January 2022, subsequently held without bond for Young Dolph’s murder.
His trial commenced on September 22, 2024, culminating in a guilty verdict from a Memphis jury only four hours later. Following the announcement of the verdict, Judge Mitchell imposed a life sentence for Johnson.
While Johnson appeared emotionless during the proceedings, Young Dolph’s family expressed relief, particularly his sister, Carlissa Thornton, who shared her grief over the loss of her brother, stating:
“On Nov. 17, 2021, our lives changed forever. My brother held many significant titles—a son, father, brother, and friend—leaving a void in the lives of many.”
“We ask that instead of focusing on those who committed this crime, you remember who Adolph Robert Thornton was—a dedicated father and family man,”she continued.
During the recent hearing, Prosecutor Paul Hagerman emphasized Johnson’s prior violent history, deeming him a “danger to the community”and reinforcing the call for maximum sentencing.
“We request that you impose maximum sentences based on the risk posed to others,”Hagerman stated.
The prosecution added that Johnson acted without hesitation, driven by greed and fame. They noted that a prominent factor in Young Dolph’s murder stemmed from an ongoing rivalry with CMG, suggesting underlying motives closely linked to personal and professional conflicts.
Notably, Dolph had survived a previous shooting incident in 2017, where his bulletproof vehicle was fired upon over 100 times, which many believe involved CMG affiliates.
Young Dolph’s album titled ‘Bulletproof,’ released in April 2017, coincidentally reflected the tumultuous experiences he faced, peaking at No. 36 on Billboard’s album chart.
Currently, Justin Johnson seeks to vacate his sentence and has filed for a new trial, citing insufficient evidence presented during the original proceedings, with a hearing set for December 12, 2024.
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