Young Dolph shooting: Where the suspects’ case stands and what to know two years after the rapper’s death

after two years Young DolphAfter the rapper’s death, the city still feels the rapper’s loss.

A formal trial date has been set for the men accused of killing Young Dolph amid courtroom controversy.

Judge Lee V. Covey, the original judge in the case, stepped down after the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals ruled that Covey It may be considered biased against one of the accused. Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Jennifer Mitchell is scheduled to preside over the case. The trial is scheduled to begin in March 2024, and an early date for plea deals is scheduled for early December 2023.

Here’s what we know about Young Dolph’s murder.

How did Young Dolph die?

It was Adolph Thornton Jr., known as Young Dolph He shot and killed On November 17, 2021, inside Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies on Airline Boulevard.

Memphis Police Department Photos released Two suspects were at the scene with weapons. The suspects stopped, jumped out and shot into the store, killing Dolph, authorities said.

Dolph, 36, had approximately 22 gunshot wounds spread around his head, back, chin, neck and arms, according to the autopsy report.

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When was Young Dolph’s funeral?

Young Dolph’s funeral was held on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. It was a private funeral service held at First Baptist Church on Broad Avenue nearly two weeks after he was shot and killed.

Who are the suspects in Young Dolph’s shooting?

There are four suspects charged in connection with Young Dolph’s death.

Hernandez Govan was arrested on Nov. 10, 2022, and is accused of orchestrating a plot to kill Young Dolph, according to Shelby County Prosecutor Steve Mulroy. Govan has since pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and conspiracy in the case. In May, Govan was released on bail for Deteriorating health He is being held under surveillance.

Cornelius Smith was arrested on December 9, 2021 in Southaven on a warrant for the stolen Mercedes seen in video from the shooting.

Justin Johnson was arrested on January 11, 2022 in Indiana by the U.S. Marshals Service as a suspect in the shooting death of Dolph.

Jemarcus Johnson, Justin Johnson’s brother, is charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. On June 9, JeMarcus Johnson pleaded guilty to three counts of accessory after the fact.

Where did the suspects’ cases go?

Cornelius Smith and Justin Johnson are scheduled to do so trial On March 11, 2024. They did Not guilty to first-degree murder, criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, use of a firearm with intent to commit a felony, theft of property valued between $10,000 and $60,000, and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder charges.

There is a deadline of December 1, 2023 for attorneys to file any additional motions and any plea deals that must be struck before trial.

What happened to Makeda’s cookies on Airlines Boulevard?

Makeda Homemade Butter Cookies It closed its location on Airlines Boulevard after the shooting. The store reopened on September 17, 2022, and has been fully operational since then. The store is located at 2370 Airways Blvd.

The company currently has two locations: Airways Blvd. Location and location downtown at 301 Jefferson Ave.

What Young Dolph Memorials Are There in Memphis?

There is a memorial to Young Dolph at the corner of Castalia Street and Boyle Avenue in the Castalia supermarket.

The Memphis City Council has renamed a street in honor of the rapper. Dunn Street, between Airline Boulevard and Hayes Road, is now Adolph “Young Dolph” Thornton Jr. Boulevard.

Does Young Dolph have any posthumous releases?

There have been two posthumous releases by Young Dolph in 2022.

One of the releases is by Dolph’s company, Paper Route Empire, which continues to operate under CEO DaddyO’s leadership in Dolph’s vision. The label released Dolph’s song “Hall of Fame” in honor of his 37th birthday in July 2022.

On December 16, 2022, a posthumous album entitled “Paper Route Frank” was released. The album peaked at number 25 on the Billboard 200.

Are they still handing out Thanksgiving dinner for Young Dolph?

In 2018, Young Dolph started a tradition of donating turkeys on Thanksgiving to the Memphis community. In 2019, he continued the donation drive, and in his honor his family continued the tradition.

Young Dolph Edamai Family Foundation Thanksgiving Turkey campaign continues. Details of the 2023 turkey drive have not yet been announced.

Commercial Appeal reporters Dima Amr, Lucas Fenton, Laura Testino, Michaela Watts and Omar Youssef contributed to this report.

Jordan Green covers trending news for the USA Today Network. She can be contacted via email at Jordan.Green@commercialappeal.com Or on Twitter/X @_green_jordan_

This article originally appeared on the Memphis Business Appeal: Young Dolph shooting in Memphis: Everything to know about the tragic death