Key Takeaways
- Young Dolph was rapper and songwriter from 2008 until he died in 2021.
- The rapper was shot and killed on November 17, 2021, inside a local cookie shop, Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookie Bakery, on Airway Boulevard while he was visiting the area for Thanksgiving.
- Marcus Thronton’s brother, YoungDolph’s partner, Mia Jaye, has taken up social media to seek justice and shares her frustration about the justice system.
Marcus Thornton’s brother, Adolpd Thornton Jr., also known as Young Dolph, was born on July 27th, 1985, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
He was active as a rapper and songwriter from 2008 until he passed away in 2021.
The then 36-year-old rapper was shot and killed on November 17, 2021, inside a local cookie shop; Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookie Bakery on Airway Boulevard, while he was visiting the area for Thanksgiving.
The shooting case faced trial on Monday, September 23, 2024.
Four primary suspects are involved in the case: Justin Johnson, Cornelius Smith, Hernandez Govan, and Jermarcus Johnson.
Justin Johnson, also known as “Straight Drop,” is one of the accused gunmen who shot Young Dolph.
He was associated with the other two suspects through a network of criminal, illegal d*ug dealings and possible gang affiliations.
Cornelius Smith is believed to be the other accused gunman.
Smith has been implicated through fingerprint evidence found on the stolen Mercedes-Benz, which seems to be the vehicle involved in the incident, as seen in the footage.
Hernandez Govan is believed to have solicited the whole mu*der, possibly due to past disputes between him and Marcus Thornton’s brother, Young Dolph.
He was arrested over the weekend in Southaven, Mississippi.
Jermarcus Johnson, Justice Johnson’s half-brother has pleaded guilty to three counts of accessory charges and has been sentenced to 12 years in jail.
He played a role in helping the suspects evade law enforcement after Marcus Thronton’s brother’s mu*der case.
Justin Johnson was finally arrested in January 2022 after a nationwide manhunt.
Cornelius Smith said he was shot by Marcus Thornton, the brother of Young Dolph, who was at the cookie shop and needed to have a "wound kit" to clean up his injuries.
— No Jumper (@nojumper) September 25, 2024
Smith said he was shot in the shoulder, and a bullet grazed Johnson on his back
pic.twitter.com/GWByrq5IWA
The hearing for Marcus Thornton’s Brother’s case has finally started after being pushed back many times.
The Trial
On Day 1 of the Trial opening statements were made and the court was informed that the suspects, Cornelius Smith and Hernandez Govan would testify against Justin Johnson.
Justice Johnson and Cornelius Smith both face charges of First-degree murder, illegal possession of firearms, and theft of property.
While Hernandez Govan is charged with first-degree murder, criminal attempted first-degree murder and conspiracy to first-degree murder.
The attorneys of defendant Johnson sought to discredit Smith’s testimony stating that it was Smith’s self-serving attempt to lessen his punishment.
Day 2 of the Trial has seen an unexpected turn of events with Smith’s testimony.
According to Smith, Justin and himself were hired to shoot Young Dolph.
When questioned about his relationship with the other two suspects, the previous assumption turned out to be true.
On further questioning and analysis of the footage, the court came to know about what had happened.
Then the two gunmen shot Young Dolph from outside the store, when Marcus Thornton came running from inside the store, with a handgun and tried to shoot back at the two gunmen, trying to defend his brother and trying to nail down the assailants.
In his testimony, Cornelius Smith also revealed that, in the firing, Young Dolph’s brother, Marcus, shot him in the upper arm and the legs, and Justice Johnson was grazed by the bullet on his back.
Marcus Thornton is a central figure in this trial. His presence at the scene has made him a key eyewitness and is expected to provide his testimony at the court.
It was also revealed that Smith and Johnson were paid $40,000, while Hernandez Govan was paid $20,000 for planning the hit.
According to UPROXX, A new suspect has been brought to light with Smith’s testimony,
“…the contract killing was one of several marks on Dolph’s Paper Route Empire label roster, which he was made aware of after by another Memphis native, Big Jook, who reports noted was the older brother of Dolph’s rap rival, Yo Gotti. Jook himself was shot and killed this January, and the investigation is ongoing.”
With the verdict not being given by the court, Marcus Thronton’s brother, YoungDolph’s partner, Mia Jaye, has taken up-to social media to seek justice.
She shares her frustration about the justice system, not being able to finalize the verdict for the perpetrators even when the involved assailants have already given their testimonies.
She also shares a post showing how reluctant she is to be used as a pawn, and questions if Steve Mulroy really stands for his word or just needed endorsement and votes for the election.
Mia Jaye, Young Dolph’s children, the Thornton family, must be going through a very hard time, especially Marcus Thornton, who saw his brother being shot in front of his own eyes.
How helpless Marcus Thornton should have felt in not being able to provide justice for his brother.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- He was raised by his grandmother along with his two sisters and two brothers.
- Thornton has two children with his partner, Mia Jaye.
- Young Dolph is known for his philanthropy, donating $ 25,000 to his alma mater, Hamilton High School.