Young Dolph Murder Trial's Jury Has Been Selected Amid Suspect Controversy

BYGabriel Bras Nevares1023 Views
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2017 BET Experience STAPLES Center - Concert Sponsored By Sprite - Night 3
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Young Dolph performs onstage at night three of the STAPLES Center Concert, sponsored by Sprite, during the 2017 BET Experience at Staples Center on June 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
The trial for Young Dolph's murder begins on Monday, September 23.

The trial for the murder of Young Dolph will officially begin on Monday (September 23), as the court finally seated a jury for the proceedings. Moreover, this news comes from an ABC24 Memphis report from Friday (September 20) that indicates the three men suspected of planning and carrying out the attack will face trial in the Shelby Country Courthouse in Tennessee. Judge Jennifer Mitchell will oversee the trial of the alleged gunmen, Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith, whereas the alleged mastermind Hernandez Govan will face trial on the same day. But this new report is a big change from what we last heard about this case.

For those unaware, prosecutors previously indicated that only Johnson would stand trial on Monday, which left many confused and outraged. As such, it's still a bit unclear whether or not this new report from ABC24 Memphis confirms that the court changed their approach, or if it's just a missing piece of information that we've yet to clarify. Either way, we will find out what's going on and who will face trial soon enough. Given that some suspects in the murder of Young Dolph have different charges, this could suggest why authorities seemingly went back and forth in their procedures.

Young Dolph Murder Trial Selects Its Jury

In addition, prosecutors refused to explain why Johnson was the only one who was going to stand trial on Monday due to a risk of compromising an active investigation. We haven't heard anything about that probe, so we could simply assume that they will have all three defendants on trial on Monday. Young Dolph's alleged killers, Johnson and Smith, face first-degree murder charges and other related felonies. Govan, who allegedly planned the hit, also received a conspiracy to commit first-degree murder charge.

Meanwhile, a fourth suspect in the Young Dolph case – Johnson's brother Jermarcus – pleaded guilty to three counts of accessory after the fact and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder charges. Some folks believe that he will testify against his colleagues in court, but we'll have to wait and see. Elsewhere, Dolph's loved ones and fans continue to keep his spirit alive passionately and with great dedication.
Rest In Peace Young Dolph.

About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares is a staff writer for HotNewHipHop. He joined HNHH while completing his B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication at The George Washington University in the summer of 2022. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gabriel treasures the crossover between his native reggaetón and hip-hop news coverage, such as his review for Bad Bunny’s hometown concert in 2024. But more specifically, he digs for the deeper side of hip-hop conversations, whether that’s the “death” of the genre in 2023, the lyrical and parasocial intricacies of the Kendrick Lamar and Drake battle, or the many moving parts of the Young Thug and YSL RICO case. Beyond engaging and breaking news coverage, Gabriel makes the most out of his concert obsessions, reviewing and recapping festivals like Rolling Loud Miami and Camp Flog Gnaw. He’s also developed a strong editorial voice through album reviews, think-pieces, and interviews with some of the genre’s brightest upstarts and most enduring obscured gems like Homeboy Sandman, Bktherula, Bas, and Devin Malik.
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