Young Dolph's alleged shooter Cornelius Smith says he only received $800 out of the promised $40K for the hit

During a court hearing on September 23, Cornelius Smith Jr., one of the shooters involved in Young Dolph's murder, testified that he was set to make $40,000 for the hit but only received $800.

Smith Jr.'s statements came after prosecutors implicated rapper Yo Gotti's deceased brother, Big Jook, for the crime, alleging that he offered a monetary reward worth $100K for Dolph's murder. During Monday's hearing, Smith Jr. indicated that Big Jook reportedly played a significant role in Young Dolph's murder.

The accused said that he and Justin Johnson had to video call Jook after Dolph's murder to confirm the job was done. Smith Jr. also claimed to have never met Dolph. According to Smith, Big Jook's monetary reward was supposed to be split between three of those allegedly involved in the murder, namely Hernandez Govan, Justin Johnson, and himself.

Johnson and Smith were to keep $40,000 each, while both would pay $10,000 to Govan. However, Smith only received $800 before his arrest. He also noted that Jook later paid $50,000 to his attorney after his arrest.

Cornelius Smith also identified himself and Justin Johnson in the surveillance video from the day of Dolph's murder.

The three suspects are charged with the first-degree murder of Young Dolph. The rapper was shot and killed in Memphis on November 17, 2021. Govan was released on a $90,000 bond and remains under house arrest. Johnson pleaded not guilty and is facing charges in court.

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Prosecutors claim Big Jook placed $100K bounty on Young Dolph's head

On November 17, 2021, rapper Young Dolph was shot to death in Makeda's Homemade Butter Cookies on Airways Boulevard. Following the shooting, the Memphis Police Department released images of two suspects armed at the crime scene. An autopsy report revealed Dolph sustained around 22 gunshot wounds.

The trial for Young Dolph's murder began on September 23, 2024. During the opening statements, Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman alleged that rapper Yo Gotti's elder brother, Anthony Big Jook Mims, had placed a bounty of $100K on Dolph, leading to his murder.

Gotti and Dolph were rivals to each other. Gotti's brother, Big Jook, was also shot and killed in January 2024. Two suspects, Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith Jr., were first charged with first-degree murder of Dolph.

According to Fox 13 Memphis, Smith Jr. testified in court that another suspect, Hernandez Govan, had informed him and Johnson about the bounty on Young Dolph's head. The accused stated that Johnson and he agreed to the deal, with both men giving $10,000 to Govan for his information while keeping $40,000 each for themselves.

On the day of Young Dolph's shooting, Johnson reportedly picked up Smith Jr., as per the latter's testimony. The two shooters had prior information about Dolph being on a Thanksgiving turkey drive and went to look for him. The duo reportedly had a semi-automatic weapon called Draco and a handgun with them.

As per Smith's testimony, the duo followed Young Dolph as he headed to Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies in his "custom car," pulled the backway, got off, and started shooting. The accused also identified himself and Johnson in the video footage from the incident shared by the police.

"I wasn’t feeling nothing 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 said in his testimony.

Meanwhile, Johnson's attorney, Luke Evans, urged the jury to disregard Smith's statements, arguing he was trying to "prove himself." Evans asserted Johnson's innocence, claiming it was not his client seen in the surveillance clips.

Back in May, Hernandez Govan faced attempted murder and conspiracy charges but got out of jail after a house arrest deal alongside paying a $90,000 bond. In June 2023, Justin Johnson's half-brother, Jermarcus Johnson, accepted a deal to testify against his brother and the defendants.

Jermarcus pleaded guilty to three counts of accessory for helping his brother, reportedly facing six to 12 years in jail. He claimed to have helped Johnson and Smith communicate over the phone while they were on the run from the police.

Cornelius Smith Jr. also followed Johnson's suit and agreed to testify against Johnson after facing additional charges of unlawful carrying and possession of a firearm and theft of property. However, County D.A. Steve Mulroy told ABC 24 that Smith Jr. refused to comment on Govan, who has pleaded not guilty to his charges.