August 21, 2025
The alleged mastermind of Younger Dolph’s 2021 homicide was cleared of all prices.
The person accused of orchestrating the deadly taking pictures of Memphis rapper Younger Dolph has been acquitted on all prices.
Govan Hernandez was acquitted Aug. 21 of felony prices of first-degree homicide and conspiracy to commit first-degree homicide, Native Memphis reported. The decision got here after a three-hour jury deliberation on day three of the trial into the November 2021 killing of Younger Dolph, actual title Adolph Robert Thornton Jr.
Talking with reporters after the decision, Govan thanked those that didn’t “draw back from him” and maintained his innocence.
“Thanks to the jury for getting this proper and getting my life again,” Govan mentioned. “I knew in my coronary heart I used to be harmless. With out God, I don’t even assume I’d have made it this far. I’m simply completely happy to be free.”
Whereas Govan, 45, was not accused of killing Younger Dolph, prosecutors argued that he directed the 2 males who did. One of many shooters even testified that Govan employed him to hold out the taking pictures in alternate for a $10,000 minimize. Nonetheless, the jury was not satisfied and acquitted Govan of all prices early Thursday.
Throughout the trial, Govan’s protection attorneys criticized the police investigation and questioned the credibility of cellphone data exhibiting his communication with the shooters. They argued there was no direct proof connecting him to Younger Dolph’s killing.
“Fortunately, the jurors listened; they noticed the holes within the case,” mentioned Govan’s lawyer, Manny Arora.
Younger Dolph was again in his hometown to hand out Thanksgiving turkeys when he was fatally shot exterior his favourite bakery, Makeda’s Do-it-yourself Cookies. Throughout the trial, Cornelius Smith Jr., who admitted to being one of many two gunmen, testified in opposition to Govan, claiming he employed him and Justin Johnson to hold out the hit.
Smith, who was known as a “pathological liar” by Dolph’s lawyer, had additionally been the important thing witness in opposition to Johnson, who was convicted of first-degree homicide in 2024 after being recognized because the second shooter. Smith has been charged with homicide and conspiracy to commit homicide. He has pleaded not responsible, and a trial date has but to be set.
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