Hernandez Govan Acquitted in Young Dolph Murder Case
- Crime Noir
- 6 days ago
- 1 min read
45-year-old Hernandez Govan was acquitted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder charges in connection with the 2021 shooting death of Memphis rapper Young Dolph. The jury deliberated for several hours before delivering the not-guilty verdict.
During the trial, prosecutors alleged that while Govan did not pull the trigger, he orchestrated the deadly plot by directing Cornelius Smith and others to carry out the hit. Smith testified that Govan offered him $10,000 to participate in the murder.
Govan’s defense attorneys challenged the police investigation, arguing that phone records and communications between Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith were not incriminating and failed to directly tie their client to the crime.
Pictured: Justin Johnson, Young Dolph, and Cornelius Smith
Last year, Justin Johnson, identified as one of the gunmen was convicted of first-degree murder in Young Dolph’s death. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
Prosecutors have also suggested that Anthony “Big Jook” Mims, the brother of rapper Yo Gotti, may have been the mastermind behind the murder plot. However, Mims was fatally shot in January 2024 after attending a funeral, and no arrests have been made in connection with his killing.
The acquittal of Hernandez Govan underscores the complexity of the investigation into Young Dolph’s tragic death. While convictions have been secured against some individuals, lingering questions remain about who ultimately orchestrated the murder. As the legal system closes chapters in this case, the loss of Young Dolph continues to resonate deeply within Memphis and the wider hip-hop community, leaving behind a legacy forever altered by violence.
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