Young Dolph's Killer Identifies Person Who Ordered Rapper's Murder At Trial

The man who admitted to fatally shooting Young Dolph has pointed the finger at the person who actually ordered the hit on the Memphis rapper.

On Monday, August 18, the trial for Hernandez Govan, one of four men who were charged in connection with Dolph's murder, began with opening statements and witness testimony. After Dolph's sister Erica Thornton testified about the last time she spoke with her brother, Cornelius Smith, the man who fired the deadly bullet at Dolph, took the stand and explained how Govan recruited him on behalf of Yo Gotti's late brother, Anthony "Big Jook" Mims, to murder the Paper Route Empire founder.

Smith and his co-defendant, Justin Johnson, were arrested in 2022 and charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors said Smith and Johnson opened fire on Young Dolph while he was inside Madeka's Cookies in Memphis on November 17, 2021. Smith, who testified during Johnson's trial last year, told the court that Govan planned the shooting after he heard about a $100,000 bounty from Mims before he was shot and killed last year. Smith also said Govan gave him directions before and after the shooting. Additionally, Govan scolded Smith and Johnson after they allegedly left evidence behind when they discarded their getaway car.

During the second day of Govan's trial, Memphis Police Department Sgt. Jesse Browning was called to the stand. According to the Daily Memphian, Browning described multiple instances of cellphone communications between Govan, Smith, Johnson, and Mims. Smith also admitted to carrying out Mims' request to kill another Paper Route Empire artist, Paper Route Woo, before Dolph's murder. Smith said Mims was supposed to give Govan the money to pay him and Johnson for both jobs. Govan planned to take a $10,000 cut from the total, but Smith said the 45-year-old never paid him or Johnson.

Govan is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and attempted murder. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and declined a plea deal from the state. Watch the second day of Hernandez Govan's trial below.