MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC/Gray News) – Hernandez Govan, the man accused of masterminding the fatal ambush of rapper Young Dolph, was acquitted on all charges Thursday, August 21, 2025, in a Memphis courtroom.
Govan, 45, was found not guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, ending a high-profile case nearly four years after Young Dolph’s shooting death.
While Govan was not accused of pulling the trigger, prosecutors alleged he orchestrated the November 2021 hit that led to the rapper’s killing outside Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies, a local bakery in Memphis. Two men, Cornelius Smith Jr. and Justin Johnson, were previously identified as the gunmen.
The verdict came after brief jury deliberations, which began late Wednesday and concluded by Thursday morning. The 12-member jury, made up of five men and seven women, unanimously found Govan not guilty.
Inside the courtroom, Govan reacted emotionally to the decision, embracing his legal team. Speaking with reporters after the verdict, Govan remained skeptical that the outcome would inspire any larger change in the justice system.
“I doubt it,” he responded when asked about the possibility of reform.
His attorney voiced concerns about the broader system, stating, “If this is a microcosm of what’s going on, we should all be worried. We need to figure out why so many people are in jail and being kept without bond.”
During the trial, prosecutors relied heavily on testimony from Cornelius Smith Jr., who admitted to being one of the two gunmen. Smith claimed that Govan had hired him and Johnson for the killing and tipped them off about Dolph’s location in Memphis.
However, Govan’s defense attorney painted Smith as a “pathological liar” motivated by self-preservation, arguing he was testifying in hopes of receiving a reduced sentence.
Smith, who remains in custody, is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. He has pleaded not guilty, and his trial date is still pending. Johnson was convicted of first-degree murder in 2024.
Young Dolph, born Adolph Thornton Jr., was a beloved figure in the Memphis community and the hip-hop industry. His killing sparked widespread outrage and mourning.
The case remains one of Memphis’ most scrutinized homicides, and while Govan walks free, other suspects still face legal consequences in the ongoing investigation.
