Young Dolph's Murder Case Concludes: Cornelius Smith Jr. Sentenced to 20 Years
Cornelius Smith Jr., who admitted to shooting Young Dolph, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, bringing the rapper's murder case to a close.
The legal saga surrounding the 2021 murder of Young Dolph has reached its conclusion. Cornelius Smith Jr., the man who previously confessed to fatally shooting the rapper, pleaded guilty on Friday, marking a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the beloved Memphis artist.
Smith's guilty plea to second-degree murder came as part of a plea deal with Memphis prosecutors. This development arrives nearly two years after Smith's initial admission on the witness stand, where he implicated himself and co-defendant Justin Johnson in the daytime ambush at a Memphis bakery. Smith's testimony was pivotal in the trial of Johnson, who was subsequently convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Smith received a 20-year prison sentence. In exchange, charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and the use of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony were dropped.
Smith also testified in the trial of Hernandez Govan, who was accused of orchestrating the murder of Young Dolph. However, Govan was acquitted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder following a trial in August 2025.
Another individual connected to the crime, Jemarcus Johnson, Justin Johnson’s brother, had previously pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact, receiving a six-year sentence involving diversion and community service. With Smith's plea deal finalized, all four individuals implicated in Young Dolph's murder have now been brought to justice.
"Young Dolph was a beloved member of this community, his death a tragedy, his murder an outrage,” District Attorney General Steve Mulroy said in a statement Friday. “We’re glad to finally have this last part of the case resolved. The sentence properly reflects the gravity of the offense while giving due consideration to the cooperation this defendant provided. We hope this resolution can give Dolph’s family some sense of closure.”
Deputy DA Paul Hagerman added, "Smith cooperated in the prosecution and testified that he and Justin Johnson killed Dolph as part of a planned gang-related hit. Johnson was convicted as charged of all charges; his appeal has been heard and denied, and he is now serving a sentence in excess of life imprisonment. Today, Smith received a 20-year sentence to be served without any chance of early release and without any parole. Smith’s participation in this crime is inexcusable, but Smith owned up to his crime, told the truth in court despite fear of retribution and threats, and has now accepted responsibility and received this long prison sentence. His cooperation was essential to the State’s case, and this was taken into consideration in this resolution.”
Hagerman concluded with a poignant reflection on Young Dolph's character: “As a final note, Dolph was here in Memphis because it was his home, but he was also here to do what had become a tradition for him — a turkey giveaway for his neighborhood. Dolph believed in this place, he believed in his people, and he loved his family. His story is, and has always been, bigger than his death.”
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