The trial for the mu*der of Young Dolph has begun on a startling note, with one of the accused shooters confessing to accepting $100,000 in cash to carry out the k*lling.
Cornelius Smith, who has pleaded guilty to the mu*der that occurred in November 2021, took the stand and implicated himself, along with Justin Johnson, Hernandez “Quett” Govan, and the brother of Yo Gotti, Anthony “Big Jook” Mims, in the murder of the Memphis rapper.
Smith testified that Govan orchestrated the hit, with Big Jook offering $100,000 as a guarantee for its success. Smith mentioned that he and Johnson were to receive $40,000 each, with Govan set to receive $20,000.
However, Smith revealed that he only received $800, despite the promise of a larger sum. Big Jook compensated him with $50,000 in legal fees after his capture.
He also disclosed that he and Johnson proceeded with the murder on the same day as his daughter’s birthday.
When questioned about his decision to commit the crime, Smith explained that he needed the money to make his daughter’s birthday memorable.
“Man, I was trying to make it right for her,” he said. “I ain’t have no money, I’m trying to get some money that day. So I’m trying to make sure my baby girl have a beautiful birthday.”
According to testimony, Smith and Johnson originally planned on carrying out the murder at an annual Thanksgiving turkey drive Dolph organizes, but they spotted his camo-wrapped Corvette and decided to follow him into the parking lot of Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies where they allegedly shot Dolph 22 times.
When asked why he decided to tell the truth, Smith said he felt guilty after being arrested and he sobered up, blaming his drug use on the d£ath of his 9-year-old son in 2020. He also said that he wasn’t expecting leniency and was doing talking to clear his conscience. “I’m going to jail anyway. I can get it off my chest,” he said. “It’s my best out to be honest, to be truthful. Why play with these folks? They already know.”
Big Jook, who had put up $100,000 for the job, was mu*dered in January, 2024.
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