Ongoing Delays in Cornelius Smith’s Plea Hearing Prolong Young Dolph Murder Case
The legal proceedings surrounding Cornelius Smith, a key figure in the murder of Memphis rapper Young Dolph, have encountered yet another postponement. Originally anticipated to bring closure to a case spanning nearly five years, Smith’s plea hearing has now been deferred to May, extending the uncertainty for all parties involved.
Background: Smith’s Role and Admission
Cornelius Smith, who confessed to discharging a firearm inside Makeda’s Cookies on November 17, 2021, resulting in Young Dolph’s death, remains in legal limbo. Despite his detailed testimony, the judicial process has moved at a sluggish pace, frustrating observers and victims’ supporters alike.
Smith’s defense counsel has indicated that additional time is necessary to address unresolved aspects of the case before finalizing any plea agreement. This delay raises questions about the factors impeding the swift administration of justice, especially since Smith’s culpability has never been contested.
Smith’s Testimony: A Harrowing Account
Under oath, Smith recounted the violent events inside the cookie shop, admitting he lost count of how many times he fired at Young Dolph. Surveillance footage corroborated his involvement, showing Smith and co-conspirator Justin Johnson arriving in a stolen Mercedes-Benz and executing the attack with chilling precision.
While Johnson was convicted in September 2024 and sentenced to life imprisonment plus 50 years, Smith-who has cooperated extensively with law enforcement and testified against other suspects-has yet to resolve his own legal standing.
Complex Web of Conspirators and Motives
The case is further complicated by the involvement of multiple individuals. Smith testified that Big Jook, brother of rapper Yo Gotti, allegedly commissioned a $100,000 contract killing targeting Young Dolph. The motive was reportedly tied to securing a recording contract with Yo Gotti’s CMG label.
According to Smith, he and Johnson were promised $40,000 each for carrying out the hit, while the supposed mastermind, Hernandez Govan, was to receive $20,000. However, Smith only received $800 before his arrest. In a significant development, Govan was acquitted of all charges in August 2025, leaving prosecutors without a conviction against the alleged orchestrator.
Adding to the intrigue, Big Jook was fatally shot in January 2024 in an unrelated incident, which remains unsolved with no arrests to date.
Historical Feud Between Paper Route Empire and CMG
The rivalry between Young Dolph’s Paper Route Empire and Yo Gotti’s CMG has a long and violent history stretching back over ten years. Numerous violent episodes have punctuated this feud, including a 2017 attack where over 100 rounds were fired into Young Dolph’s bulletproof Corvette in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Later that same year, Young Dolph survived a shooting outside the Loews Hollywood hotel in Los Angeles. Despite these attempts on his life, he released his album Bulletproof and continued his career until the fatal shooting in 2021, where he was struck 22 times inside the cookie shop, according to local Memphis news reports.
Remaining Legal Proceedings and Implications
Smith’s unresolved case represents the last major legal hurdle in a saga that has largely been pieced together. Meanwhile, Jermarcus Johnson, half-brother of Justin Johnson, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact in October 2023 and was sentenced to probation and diversion programs.
As the community awaits Smith’s plea hearing in May, the drawn-out process underscores the challenges of navigating complex criminal cases involving multiple defendants and intertwined motives. The hope remains that this final step will bring a measure of closure to the family, fans, and the Memphis music scene.
