Big Jook Accused of Ordering $100K Hit on Young Dolph Amid Ongoing Murder Trial

Fresh allegations have surfaced in the murder trial of Memphis rapper Young Dolph, with prosecutors in Shelby County claiming that Big Jook, brother of rapper Yo Gotti, ordered a $100,000 hit on Dolph. The trial centers on Justin Johnson, also known as Straight Drop, and Cornelius Smith, who are both accused of carrying out the deadly shooting in November 2021. According to the prosecution, the alleged hit stemmed from a bitter rivalry between Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group (CMG) and Young Dolph’s Paper Route Empire (PRE).

Prosecutors have argued that the feud between the two labels played a major role in the motive behind the crime. During the trial’s opening remarks, Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman laid out a timeline of events, suggesting that Johnson was lured into committing the murder with the promise of a record deal with CMG. Hagerman described the plan as part of an ongoing effort to eliminate Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolf Thornton Jr., from the Memphis rap scene due to his rising success.

During day 1 of Young Dolph's trial today, the prosecution tells a jury that a hit to kill Young Dolph was ordered by Yo Gotti's older brother, Big Jook.

The offer to commission to kill Dolph was allegedly $100,000. pic.twitter.com/OndBs3nmZi

— XXL Magazine (@XXL) September 23, 2024

The Alleged Plot

Hagerman claimed that Big Jook, real name Marcus Jerald, enlisted Johnson to carry out the hit on Young Dolph. As part of the plot, Johnson was reportedly sent to Atlanta under the pretense of signing with CMG. However, prosecutors allege that this trip was actually a step in the plan to assassinate Dolph, with Hernandez Govan, another key figure in the case, described as the mastermind behind the operation.

Security footage, presented by the prosecution, shows two individuals exiting a white Mercedes at the scene of the crime. Moments later, Young Dolph was shot to death outside Makeda’s Homemade Cookies in Memphis. The footage, according to Hagerman, identifies Johnson and Smith as the two men involved, with Johnson allegedly carrying a pistol and Smith wielding a semi-automatic weapon.

Hagerman further linked Johnson to the crime through forensic evidence, including clothes reportedly worn during the murder, such as a hat from Bass Pro Shops. However, Johnson’s defense attorney, Luke Evans, challenged the credibility of this evidence, arguing that the prosecution could not definitively prove his client’s involvement. Evans maintained that the similarities in apparel were not enough to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and insisted that Johnson did not murder Young Dolph.

Cornelius Smith, one of Young Dolph’s suspected killers, says he received $500 and a letter after killing Dolph.

The letter said that if Smith and the other alleged killer, Justin “Straight Dropp” Johnson, got caught, Yo Gotti’s brother, Big Jook, who was killed this past… pic.twitter.com/2hW2O23Crt

— XXL Magazine (@XXL) September 23, 2024

Hernandez Govan’s Role

Prosecutors also pointed to Hernandez Govan, who they say played a crucial role in orchestrating the murder. Govan and Big Jook allegedly viewed Young Dolph as a direct threat to CMG’s dominance in the Memphis rap scene and took drastic measures to eliminate him as a competitor. Although Govan is not currently on trial, his name has been central to the prosecution’s case.

The rivalry between CMG and PRE had reportedly escalated over the years, with Dolph achieving significant success through his independent label, further intensifying hostilities between the two factions. The prosecution alleges that Govan and Jook’s plan to eliminate Dolph was rooted in this competition, with his growing influence posing a threat to CMG’s business interests.

Yo Gotti’s brother Big Jook is reportedly an associate of Hernandez Govan, the suspect accused of organizing the murder of Young Dolph. pic.twitter.com/zdbilBQUNz

— Kollege Kidd (@KollegeKidd) January 14, 2024

Testimonies and Evidence

Key testimonies from witnesses on the first day of the trial helped bolster the prosecution’s argument. Raul Hopkins, a close friend and security guard of Young Dolph, testified about prior violent incidents aimed at the rapper. One notable event was a shooting in Charlotte, North Carolina

, where a van Dolph had been in was fired upon. Hopkins described this as part of a long-standing pattern of violence between CMG and PRE.

Dolph’s sister, Erica Thornton, also took the stand, offering an emotional account of the last time she saw her brother. Her testimony highlighted the devastating toll the rapper’s death has taken on his family, moving the jury as she recalled their final interactions before the shooting.

The Investigation and What’s Next

As the trial progresses, more evidence is expected to be revealed, including surveillance footage and forensic details that link Johnson and Smith to the crime. Prosecutors aim to prove that the murder was part of a coordinated plan masterminded by Big Jook and Hernandez Govan. Meanwhile, defense attorneys continue to argue that there is not enough direct evidence to convict Johnson of the murder.

The prosecution’s strategy revolves around demonstrating that the feud between CMG and PRE extended beyond music, leading to a fatal outcome. While Smith and Govan are not currently on trial, their involvement in the case suggests that the investigation may broaden further as more details emerge.

With key testimonies and crucial evidence still to be presented, the trial is likely to delve deeper into the industry rivalry that led to the tragic death of one of Memphis’s most prominent rap figures, Young Dolph.

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