There are 13 article(s) tagged Cornelius Smith:

• February 2026

  • Plea deal reached with last Young Dolph gunman, but sentencing delayed again

    The case for the remaining defendant charged in the death of Young Dolph was delayed again.

    By Aarron Fleming February 12, 2026

• August 2025

  • Court coverage: After verdict, Hernandez Govan wants to hug his son and leave Memphis

    The man accused of organizing the murder of Memphis rapper Young Dolph in 2021 has been found not guilty of being behind the star’s death. He spent nine months in jail.

    By The Daily Memphian Staff August 21, 2025

  • New witness takes stand on day two of trial for man accused of plotting Young Dolph’s killing

    The long-time girlfriend of the self-confessed shooter of the Memphis rapper took the stand for the first time and jurors also heard from two investigators.

    By Aarron Fleming August 19, 2025

  • First day wraps in trial for man accused of organizing Young Dolph’s killing

    The first day of trial for the man accused of organizing the Memphis rapper’s murder ended with the testimony from a key witness: one of the self-confessed shooters. 

    By Aarron Fleming August 19, 2025

  • Man accused of shooting Memphis rapper admits to previous attempted killing

    “We getting fed up with playing. We gone get someone,” said Cornelius Smith as he explained how he attempted to kill another rapper before allegedly shooting Young Dolph. 

    By Aarron Fleming August 18, 2025

• July 2025

  • Court coverage: Justin Johnson found guilty in Young Dolph murder

    The jury will begin deliberations soon. After three days of testimony in the trial for Justin Johnson, one of the men accused of killing rapper Young Dolph, the defense and the prosecution have officially rested their cases.

    By The Daily Memphian Staff July 15, 2025

• May 2024

  • Trial delayed for two accused in Young Dolph murder

    Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith both face charges including first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder for the 2021 killing Memphis rapper Young Dolph.

    By Aarron Fleming May 16, 2024

• February 2024

  • Trial date for Young Dolph suspects reset

    The trial for Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith initially was scheduled for March 11 in Shelby County Criminal Court Division 10 Judge Jennifer Mitchell’s courtroom.

    By Julia Baker February 03, 2024

• July 2023

  • Trial date set for two Young Dolph suspects

    Both defendants are indicted on charges of first-degree murder, employing a firearm with intent to commit a felony, and property theft up to $60,000 and more.

    By Julia Baker July 14, 2023

• November 2022

  • Young Dolph slaying suspect requests safety transfer

    Justin Johnson, 24, has been detained in the Shelby County Jail at 201 Poplar since he was arrested Jan. 13. He was reportedly attacked in jail in March. 

    By Julia Baker November 04, 2022

• April 2022

  • Judge Lee Coffee strives to treat cases with ‘dignity, respect and civility’

    Judge Lee Coffee has been practicing law for 40 years and has served as a Shelby County criminal court judge for Division VII for 16 years since his election in 2006. 

    By Julia Baker April 11, 2022

• January 2022

  • Young Dolph murder suspects have until next week to find lawyers

    Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith made their first court appearance Wednesday, Jan. 19. 

    By Yolanda Jones January 19, 2022

  • Young Dolph shooting suspects arrested

    Justin Johnson had posted on social media that he planned to surrender locally on Monday, Jan. 10, but did not. He was arrested in Indiana, and a second suspect, Cornelius Smith, was arrested in Southaven.

    By Yolanda Jones January 12, 2022