August 21st 2025.
The courtroom was filled with tension and anticipation as the verdict was announced. Govan Hernandez, the man accused of orchestrating the fatal shooting of beloved Memphis rapper Young Dolph, stood nervously as the jury declared him innocent on all charges. The news spread like wildfire, and the community was left in shock.
According to Local Memphis, Govan was acquitted on August 21st of felony charges including first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. This came after a lengthy three-hour jury deliberation on the third day of the trial, which revolved around the November 2021 killing of Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Robert Thornton Jr.
As Govan addressed reporters after the verdict, he expressed gratitude to those who stood by him and never wavered in their support. "I want to thank the jury for making the right decision and giving me back my life," he said. "I always knew in my heart that I was innocent, and without the grace of God, I don't know if I would have made it through this ordeal. I am just thankful to finally be free."
Despite not being directly accused of pulling the trigger, Govan, who is 45 years old, was accused of orchestrating the hit on Young Dolph. Prosecutors alleged that he hired two men to carry out the shooting, with one of the shooters testifying that Govan promised him a cut of $10,000 in exchange for his involvement. However, the jury was not convinced and acquitted Govan of all charges on Thursday.
Throughout the trial, Govan's defense attorneys raised concerns about the police investigation and questioned the credibility of the cellphone records that supposedly linked him to the shooters. They argued that there was no concrete evidence directly connecting him to Young Dolph's murder.
Govan's lawyer, Manny Arora, expressed relief and gratitude after the verdict was announced. "Thankfully, the jury saw the flaws in the case and made the right decision," he said.
Young Dolph had been back in his hometown to give out Thanksgiving turkeys when he was tragically shot outside his favorite bakery, Makeda's Homemade Cookies. During the trial, one of the two gunmen, Cornelius Smith Jr., testified against Govan, claiming that he was hired by him and another man, Justin Johnson, to carry out the hit. However, Smith's credibility was called into question by Dolph's attorney, who referred to him as a "pathological liar." Johnson was later convicted of first-degree murder in 2024, while Smith has been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. He has pleaded not guilty, and a trial date is yet to be determined.
The community continues to mourn the loss of Young Dolph, and his life partner has broken her silence on social media about the case. The trial may have come to an end, but the impact of this tragedy will be felt for years to come.
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