Young Dolph’s Convicted Killer Seeks New Trial Over “Insufficient” Evidence

The man convicted for the murder of Young Dolph, Justin Johnson, just filed a motion for a retrial last week (Friday, October 25). “The verdict regarding the offenses of conviction was contrary to the weight and sufficiency of the evidence, and the evidence was insufficient to lead any rational trier of fact to conclude that Mr. Johnson was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” Johnson’s lawyer Luke Evans shared in writing. “The trial court erred by admitting gruesome photographs of the victim’s body at the crime scene […] admitting gruesome autopsy photographs […] and denying Johnson’s repeated motions to allow him to sit at the counsel table. The cumulative effect of multiple errors at trial warrants granting Mr. Johnson a new trial.”

For those unaware, the court found Justin Johnson guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and unlawful possession of a handgun by a convict with a felony history last month. He received a sentence of life in prison for the murder of Young Dolph. As for the other alleged perpetrators of this attack, Cornelius Smith – who had testified against Johnson – is scheduled to appear in court on November 15 to answer for first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and attempted murder charges.

According to Smith’s testimony, he acted as one of the gunmen who shot and killed Young Dolph. Per his allegations, Hernandez Govan hired him and Justin Johnson to murder the rapper for an alleged $100K bounty. Yo Gotti‘s brother Big Jook allegedly put out a hit on the Memphis MC. Govan also faces charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and attempted murder. Prosecutors set a deadline of November 22 for him to decide whether or not he will accept a plea deal.

Not only that, but Justin Johnson’s lawyer alleged that Hernandez Govan entered a proffer agreement with prosecutors during the Young Dolph investigation. This is presumably so he could provide information about the crime to law enforcement in a way that bars them from using that info against him. However, Govan did not testify during Johnson’s trial. If he doesn’t take a plea deal, he will face trial in March of next year.