MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Jermarcus Johnson, who testified against his brother Justin Johnson - the man convicted in the killing of Memphis rapper Young Dolph, won’t spend anymore time in jail, as long as he keeps out of trouble.
Jermarcus Johnson 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.
Shelby County Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman noted Jermarcus Johnson had never been arrested before and has no criminal record.
“I think it’s important to note that he was not part of the conspiracy to kill Adolph Thornton, that he wasn’t even a regular associate of his brother," said Hagerman. "But about two weeks after the homicide, his brother basically popped up out of the blue, gave him this telephone and a car, and asked him to do these things. That was a mistake, and Mr. Jermarcus Johnson knows that was a mistake.”
During Justin’s trial, Jermarcus testified he was not part of the plan to kill Young Dolph. Jermarcus called Justin Johnson his brother, sharing the same dad and different mothers.
Jermarcus testified that after the murder, he helped Justin by using Justin’s phone to post to Justin’s “Straight Drop” social media. (Justin goes by the rap name ‘Straight Drop,’ and prosecutors have said a rap feud may have led to Dolph's murder.) Jermarcus said he also conferenced three-way calls and texts to Justin.
Attorneys for Justin Johnson filed a motion on Oct. 25, 2024, asking the courts to vacate his sentence and grant him a new trial. Justin Johnson was convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and felon in possession of a firearm. He was immediately sentenced to life in prison after the verdict on Thursday, Sept. 26.
Another man accused in the murder – Cornelius Smith – faces charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and attempted first-degree murder. Smith took the stand against Justin Johnson on the first day of the trial, admitting to killing Dolph.
Smith 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.
Smith testified that before the shooting, he met with ‘Quett' (Hernandez 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.
A plea deal is expected for Smith.
A judge set the trial date for March 10, 2025, for Govan, who is accused of ordering the hit on Dolph. Govan did not testify at Justin Johnson’s trial. The Shelby County Deputy District Attorney’s Office has not said whether Govan is expected to take a plea on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and attempted first-degree murder.