MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Day one of the trial for the murder of Memphis rapper Young Dolph featured testimony from a man who admitted to pulling the trigger in the shooting that claimed his life.
Cornelius Smith was brought in to testify against Justin Johnson, currently standing trial in Young Dolph's murder, facing charges including first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Shelby County Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman told the jury Smith would admit to the killing, and be able to verify video evidence of Johnson's whereabouts that day.
Defense attorney Luke Evans, representing Johnson, claimed the jury should not trust Smith, saying he told his family he didn’t kill Dolph.
“‘I didn’t do it. I’m just saying what I got to say, to get myself home,’” Evans said, reading from a letter he said was written by Smith to his family.
When Smith took the stand, he identified both himself and Johnson in the video where Dolph was shot.
“[That’s a] photo of me and Justin. Shooting at Dolph,” Smith said.
“[That’s a] photo of me and Justin running away from the shooting after we got done shooting Dolph,” Smith added.
He also identified Johnson wearing the same clothes as he did during the shooting in a surveillance video from the apartment complex where Smith said they went to change and clean up after the shooting, as well as several other locations.
Smith said he met with "Quett" - Hernandez Govan - and "Big Jook" - Anthony Mims - who Smith said put out a $100,000 hit on Young Dolph. Govan paired Smith with Johnson for the shooting, he said.
Smith testified that the day they "caught" Dolph, it was his daughter's birthday.
"You went and killed a man on your daughter's birthday?" asked Evans, during cross-examination.
"I'm trying to make it rain for her," replied Smith. "I wanted to make a beautiful day for her."
When Evans asked about Smith telling one woman about buying a house for her and such, Smith said he was "playing game."
Smith testified he talked with Govan about $10,000 each for he and Johnson for the hit. When Evans asked why Smith told police later "I think (Johnson) got the same deal," Smith replied he was saying the same thing now.
Smith said he was only paid $800 of the money that was promised to him before his arrest in January, 2022.
When asked about the money paid to kill Young Dolph, Smith testified his conscience bothered him after the fact.
Smith also testified he did not have knowledge of Johnson getting paid for the shooting.
Smith testified he received a letter from Johnson telling Smith to "cut him (Johnson) loose" and take the fall.
Evans also asked about who wiped the car down, and Smith testified he wiped the car down, but that Johnson had also said he had the car wiped down. Evans responded that Smith never told law enforcement he wiped the car down.
Smith said "it's hard to keep up with details," and that he answered the questions police asked.
"I've been telling the truth all the time - all along," said Smith.
When asked about whether he was getting any consideration for testifying, Smith replied, "I'm going to jail anyway. I can get it off my chest."
"It's my best out to be honest, to be truthful," said Smith. "Why play with these folks, they already know."
D.A. Mulroy said he expects the trial to end either Wednesday or Thursday. He said Smith's and Govan’s fates will be decided either through trial or plea deal and will depend on their level of cooperation.
