The forthcoming trial of Hernandez Govan, the man charged with orchestrating the murder of Memphis rapper Young Dolph, is slated to commence on September 23, aligning with the trial date of the alleged shooters, Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith. This development emerged from Govan's final court appearance before the trial on September 9, during which Judge Jennifer Mitchell issued an admonishment over Govan's casual attire, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
In light of court proceedings, it was revealed by FOX13 Memphis that the Shelby County District Attorney's Office remains tight-lipped about whether Govan will be tried with Johnson and Smith, citing the integrity of the ongoing investigation as a reason for withholding specifics. Govan, who was released on a $90,000 bond in May 2023, has been previously criticized by the judiciary for not strictly adhering to the conditions of his house arrest, having been spotted attending a funeral and doing an interview, despite the court order.
On June 23, Govan found himself in custody once more for a stalking charge dating back to 2019, a development that was promptly followed by his release on a $2,250 bond the following day. These additional charges included driving with a suspended license and having an improperly mounted license tag, according to Local Memphis. Despite the subsequent charges, Judge Mitchell opted not to revoke Govan's bond.
Prosecutors have pinned Govan as the individual behind the execution of the hit on Young Dolph, while his attorney Manny Arora counters, declaring it "abundantly clear" that Govan had no involvement in the slaying. This narrative is complicated further by Jermarcus Johnson, Justin's brother, pleading guilty to accessory after the fact charges in October 2023, awaiting sentencing that could entail six to twelve years in jail, as reported by AllHipHop.
Young Dolph, whose legal name was Adolph Thornton Jr., met his untimely demise on November 17, 2021, at Makeda’s Cookies on Airways Boulevard. The police account describes two individuals exiting a stolen Mercedes-Benz and opening fire into the bakery where the rapper was making a purchase. The case continues to command public attention as the trial looms, promising to uncover further details about the circumstances leading to the tragic loss of the Memphis rapper.
