A jury delivered a guilty verdict in a Memphis courtroom on Thursday after deliberating for about four hours as one of the men accused of killing rapper Young Dolph learned his fate.
Justin Johnson, the first suspected shooter that killed the Major rapper at a strip mall cookie shop in November 2021, was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun.
He was sentenced to life in prison for the first-degree murder charge. Johnson will be sentenced on the other charges in November.
Mia Jaye, the life partner of Young Dolph, posted a statement on Instagram after the verdict.
"Today's verdict brings relief and restores my confidence in the justice system. On behalf of my children, family and myself, I would like to thank law enforcement, the prosecution, and everyone involved for their diligent work in presenting the facts that led to this conviction. We are also grateful to the public for standing with us and advocating for accountability throughout this process.
The past three years, marked by the loss of Adolph and the events leading to the trial, have been incredibly frustrating. My faith has been tested, but Adolph's tragic execution has only strengthened my resolve to fight for justice - not only for him but for all Black men.
This is just the beginning of our journey toward achieving full justice for Adolph, and we will patiently support the unfolding of that process."
Cornelius Smith is the second suspected gunman in Dolph's killing. Hernandez Govan, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the shooting death, has also been charged with murder.
Smith testified against Johnson on Tuesday, corroborating the prosecution's claim that he and Johnson carried out an alleged $100,000 hit on Dolph.
The hit was allegedly thought up by Big Jook, the late brother of Dolph's rival, fellow rapper Yo Gotti.
On the stand, Smith said he and Johnson agreed to pay Govan $10,000 after the hit, while each gunman would take home $40,000. He claims he only received $800 of that promise before his January 2022 arrest.
No motive for the murder has been disclosed.
Gotti and Dolph's rivalry intensified over time, fueled by their contrasting affiliations and the competitive Memphis rap scene. Tensions grew as both artists threw subliminal jabs in their music and engaged in public spats. Their feud was characterized by tracks that appeared to take shots at each other, alongside incidents of violence.
In September 2017, Dolph was shot outside a Los Angeles hotel during a confrontation with three men. Initially, many speculated that the incident was linked to his feud with Gotti, who was also at the hotel; however, the LAPD later stated that Gotti was not considered a person of interest in the case.
Days after the shooting, Corey McClendon, a known associate of Gotti, was arrested but ultimately not charged.
Prosecutors questioned Smith's intentions in testifying against Johnson, citing letters to his family where Smith allegedly stated he would lie to and say he shot Dolph to get a better deal. Smith denied this, and stated he agreed to "tell the truth" because he "had a conscious."
Big Jook, 47, was fatally shot near a Memphis restaurant and event center in January.
He and another victim, who survived the shooting, were at a "repass" or meal shared by the family and friends of a deceased person, typically after a funeral.
No arrests have been made in Big Jook's death.