Hernandez Govan walked free from a Memphis courtroom on August 21, 2025, after a jury acquitted him of all charges in the high-profile murder case of rapper Young Dolph. Govan, accused of orchestrating the 2021 killing of the Memphis legend on behalf of Yo Gotti’s brother, Anthony “Big Jook” Mims, shared an emotional reaction to the verdict, saying,
“It’s hard to explain the feeling of knowing you got your life back.”
The not guilty verdict marks a pivotal moment in a case that has gripped the hip-hop community and raised questions about rivalries in the Memphis rap scene.
Young Dolph, born Adolph Thornton Jr., was gunned down on November 17, 2021, at Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway in Memphis. Two shooters, identified as Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith Jr., fired 22 shots, killing the beloved rapper known for his independent label, Paper Route Empire, and his philanthropy.
Prosecutors alleged Govan acted as the go-between, recruiting the shooters for a $100,000 hit ordered by Big Jook, fueled by a feud between Dolph’s label and Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group (CMG).
In a post-verdict interview, Govan described the immense relief of hearing,
“you are free to go,”
Calling it
“one of the best feelings I ever experienced.”
He expressed gratitude to his family and friends who stood by him, emphasizing his fight was for his autistic son.
“I was fighting more so for my son,”
Govan said, highlighting the personal stakes of the trial. He also credited his faith, stating,
“I was just thanking God,”
For giving him the strength to endure the process.
Despite waking up nervous on the morning of the verdict, Govan said his attorney, Manny Arora, and his team’s confidence helped calm his fears.
The trial, which began on August 18, 2025, saw the prosecution rely heavily on testimony from Cornelius Smith Jr., who admitted to being one of the shooters. Smith claimed Govan facilitated the hit, providing logistical support and instructions to hide evidence, like covering the stolen Mercedes-Benz used in the attack. However, Arora argued Govan was a scapegoat, pointing the finger at Big Jook as the true mastermind.
The defense questioned Smith’s credibility, noting his proffer agreement with prosecutors and inconsistencies in his story, including payments he received from Big Jook’s attorney after his arrest. The jury, unconvinced by the prosecution’s case, returned a not guilty verdict after deliberations.
The case has been steeped in the rivalry between Young Dolph and Yo Gotti, with Dolph’s diss tracks targeting CMG, escalating tensions. While Big Jook was named as the alleged orchestrator of the hit, he was killed in a shooting in January 2024, leaving many questions unanswered.
Yo Gotti has not publicly commented on the verdict or the allegations; no evidence directly ties him to the crime. Justin Johnson was convicted of murder in September 2024 and sentenced to life, while Smith awaits a court date on November 15, 2025.
The Govan acquittal leaves the pursuit of justice for Young Dolph’s family and fans unresolved, with Dolph’s sister, Carlisa Brown, calling the murder “very senseless.”
