MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The trial for the man accused of ordering the hit that killed Memphis rapper Young Dolph in 2021 has been set for Sept. 23, 2024 – the same day as the trial for two other suspects charged in the murder.
Hernandez Govan made an appearance in court Sept. 9. He is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, and attempted murder in the Young Dolph case.
Govan has been out on $90,000 bond in the Young Dolph case since posting bail on May 11, 2023, but he was ordered to stay on house arrest. Judge Jennifer Mitchell told Govan he was to stay in the house, and could not leave for any reason, including funerals.
During the latest court appearance, the judge called out Govan for what he was wearing – a Nike shirt and shorts.
“Mr. Govan. Let me admonish you – shorts are never appropriate for court,” said Judge Mitchell.
“Yes ma’am,” Govan responded.
During a hearing in February 2024, Judge Mitchell warned Govan that he needed to stop playing "fast and loose" with the bond stipulations. The judge said he was not following the bond conditions, after she received calls from 'concerned citizens' that he was doing interviews.
Govan was later arrested on June 23, 2024, by Southaven police on a stalking charge from 2019. Jail records showed Govan was booked into the DeSoto County Jail on June 23 and released the next day on a total of $2,250 bond. Those jail records indicated Govan was also charged with having a suspended license and improperly mounted license tag.
Shelby County D.A. Steve Mulroy said Govan was the man who ordered the hit that killed Young Dolph.
Manny Arora, who represents Govan, previously said it is "abundantly clear" Govan had nothing to do with the shooting which killed Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr.
The first two suspects arrested - Justin Johnson, 24, and Cornelius Smith, 32, were indicted in January 2022 on charges of first-degree murder, criminal attempted first-degree murder, unlawful carrying and possession of a firearm, employment of a firearm with intent to commit a felony, and theft of property. They are also set to go to trial Sept. 23, 2024.
Another suspect, Jermarcus Johnson, pleaded guilty to three counts of accessory after the fact in October 2023 in exchange for information into other suspects in the case. He faces six to 12 years in jail.
Young Dolph was fatally shot at Makeda's Cookies on Airways Boulevard a year ago on Nov. 17, 2021. Police have said two men got out of a stolen Mercedes-Benz and fired shots into Makeda’s Homemade Cookies, where Young Dolph was making a purchase.