Hernandez Govan Acquitted Of All Charges In Young Dolph Murder
Hernandez Govan — the man accused of facilitating a murder-for-hire plot that led to the fatal shooting of Memphis rap star Young Dolph — has been acquitted of all charges.
On Thursday (Aug. 21), following just three hours of deliberation, a jury found Govan not guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and attempted first-degree murder.
The trial began Aug. 18 and focused heavily on whether Govan played a central role in the planning of Young Dolph’s killing in November 2021.
Paras Griffin/Getty Images
Defense attorneys, led by Manny Arora, strongly pushed back against the prosecution’s narrative, criticizing what they called investigative gaps by the Memphis Police Department.
A key element in Govan’s defense was the absence of questioning around individuals allegedly connected to the case, including Big Jook, whose name surfaced multiple times throughout the investigation.
Arora also highlighted the state’s lack of direct proof against Govan and their failure to pursue key leads, particularly talk of Big Jook, brother to Young Dolph’s rival, Yo Gotti, had put bounties on Dolph and several other Paper Route Empire artists.
Yo Gotti at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards held at the Dolby Theatre on March 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images
Meanwhile, Justin Johnson — who prosecutors argued pulled the trigger — was found guilty on all counts, including conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, first-degree murder, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to life in prison for the first-degree murder charge by Judge Jennifer Johnson Mitchell.
While Govan walks free, questions continue to swirl around the larger network of individuals allegedly tied to Dolph’s killing.
Rapper Young Dolph performs on stage at Gucci and Friends Homecoming Concert at Fox Theatre on July 22, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Atlantic Records)
Cornelius Smith, who alleged that Govan was the link between himself and Johnson, still has not had a formal trial date or plea deal finalized after being charged with murder for participating in the fatal ambush alongside Johnson.
Young Dolph, born Adolph Thornton Jr., was a beloved figure in Memphis and beyond, and his killing shocked the Hip-Hop world. Govan’s acquittal serves as the latest development in a case that’s played out publicly and online.
Watch Hernandez Govan’s first interview since being acquitted for the murder of Young Dolph below.
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