MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A new trial date has been set for the man accused of ordering the hit on Memphis rapper Young Dolph.
During a court hearing Friday, Dec. 13, for Hernandez Govan, a judge set the trial date for July 28, 2025. The trial was originally set for March 10, 2025.
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said they would have liked to have the trial sooner, but the defense had scheduling issues.
Govan did not testify at the trial of Justin Johnson, who was convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and felon in possession of a firearm. Johnson was immediately sentenced to life in prison after the verdict on Thursday, Sept. 26.
When asked whether there’s a chance of a plea from Govan before trial, Shelby County Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman said the trial looks to be set in stone, implying Govan and prosecutors could not agree on a plea deal. Govan faces charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and attempted first-degree murder.
"We will be able to prove our case beyond a reasonable doubt," Mulroy said. "Whether we resolve this case through a plea or a trial, we’re ready to seek justice in this case."
Govan remains out of jail on $90,000 bond.
"He’s under supervision by an agency that supervises him," Hagerman said. "He has restrictions on where he can go, when he can be there — it’s something that we constantly monitor."
Manny Arora, who represents Govan, said they will plead not guilty.
"I trust the folks in Memphis," Arora said. "We will have a good jury selection, and we’ll make sure we get the best, most independent and impartial jurors that we can."
Jermarcus Johnson, Justin Johnson's brother, pleaded guilty to three counts of accessory after the fact in October 2023. He was sentenced Nov. 22, 2024, to six years of diversion. He must complete 20 hours of community service each year, and if he stays out of trouble, his record could be expunged at the end of the term.
Jermarcus Johnson testified against Justin at the first trial, saying he had helped out Justin by taking Justin’s phone and posting to social media for him. Jermarcus said he had no part in the plan to kill Dolph.
Another man accused in the murder, Cornelius Smith, took the stand against Justin Johnson on the first day of the trial, admitting to killing Dolph. Smith testified that he met with ‘Quett' (Govan) and ‘Big Jook’ (Anthony Mims – Yo Gotti’s brother), who Smith said put out a $100,000 hit on Young Dolph. Govan paired Smith with Johnson for the shooting, he testified.
Smith also identified both himself and Johnson in the video from Makeda’s Cookies on Airways Blvd. from Nov. 17, 2021, when Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., was shot.
Police 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.
Prosecutors claimed the shooting was part of a rap feud between Dolph’s Paper Route EMPIRE (PRE) label and Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group (CMG – aka Cocaine Muzik Group).
Following the first trial, Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy said Smith's and Govan’s fates would be decided either through trial or plea deal and would depend on their level of cooperation.
