Prosecutor Alleges Yo Gotti’s Brother Big Jook Ordered $100K Hit on Young Dolph

Rapper Young Dolph tragically lost his life in November 2021 during a shooting incident in Memphis at the age of 36. The ongoing murder trial, which commenced on September 23, 2024, in Shelby County, Memphis, has uncovered crucial information regarding Dolph’s death.

As reported by The Shade Room, Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman claimed that Big Jook, the brother of Yo Gotti, allegedly placed a $100,000 hit on Young Dolph. During the opening arguments, Hagerman asserted Big Jook’s connection to the murder, although Jook himself was fatally shot outside a Memphis restaurant in January 2024.

According to Times Now, the prosecution has contended that Young Dolph’s murder stemmed from the ongoing rivalry between Dolph’s Paper Route Empire and Yo Gotti’s CMG record labels. During the trial’s opening arguments, attorney Paul Hagerman emphasized how the conflict between the two labels significantly contributed to the circumstances surrounding Dolph’s murder.

Insights into Young Dolph’s Murder Trial

Justin Johnson, Hernandez Govan, and Cornelius Smith Jr. are the individuals charged with Young Dolph’s murder, facing first-degree murder charges. Although the trio was scheduled to stand trial together, Hernandez Govan secured a $90,000 bond and was released to house arrest during a trial delay hearing in May 2024. Govan is also contending with charges of attempted murder and conspiracy, in addition to first-degree murder.

As reported by Times Now, Justin Johnson was allegedly lured by the promise of a CMG record deal from Big Jook, contingent upon the successful execution of the hit on Young Dolph. Prosecutors have argued that a trip taken by Johnson and Hernandez Govan to Atlanta was part of their conspiracy to murder Dolph.

During the trial, Cornelius Smith Jr. testified that he and Johnson FaceTimed Big Jook after the murder to confirm the act. He disclosed that Big Jook had promised them compensation, revealing he was to receive $40,000 for his involvement in the hit.

In addition to witness testimony, the prosecution presented security footage from the crime scene outside Makeda’s Homemade Cookies, capturing Justin Johnson at the location of the shooting. The footage showed two individuals exiting a white Mercedes shortly before Young Dolph was fatally shot, with the second individual, believed to be Cornelius Smith, appearing wielding a semi-automatic weapon.

Young Dolph, born Adolph Robert Thorton Jr., tragically passed on November 17, 2021, while in Memphis for an annual Thanksgiving giveaway. The rapper was en route to the event, intended to distribute turkeys, when he stopped at Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies bakery, where he was shot.

Source