Young Dolph’s admitted killer received $500 to carry out the shooting—a judge has now sentenced him to 20 years
The conclusion of Young Dolph’s murder case was reached on Friday, as the final defendant was sentenced nearly four and a half years after the Memphis rapper was shot in broad daylight.
Cornelius Smith received a 20-year prison sentence in a Shelby County courtroom on May 15, 2026, following a plea deal that downgraded his charge from first-degree to second-degree murder. Prosecutors acknowledged that his cooperation played a crucial role in the outcome.
Smith, 36, was linked to the shooting that occurred on November 17, 2021, at Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies, which resulted in the death of Adolph Thornton Jr., widely recognized as Young Dolph. During a prior court proceeding, when the shooting video was presented, Smith acknowledged himself as the initial gunman who opened fire and confirmed that the second shooter was Justin Johnson. He subsequently informed the court, “I didn’t even know Dolph.” I felt foolish. I realized I had made a mistake.
Smith’s journey to sentencing was anything but straightforward. In February, attorneys representing both parties announced that a plea agreement had been reached, but they requested additional time to finalize specific details, especially concerning his housing arrangements within the Department of Corrections. Concerns regarding the possibility of him being placed in solitary confinement for his own safety also delayed the process, as Smith had been housed out of state since providing testimony against Johnson.
Johnson was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and possession of a handgun as a convicted felon, resulting in a life sentence in prison. Last summer, a jury acquitted Hernandez Govan, the third suspect accused of orchestrating the killing.
Smith’s collaboration with authorities regarding Johnson played a pivotal role in the lesser charge being applied. Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy released a statement after Friday’s sentencing: “Young Dolph was a cherished member of this community, his death a tragedy, his murder an outrage.” We are pleased to have this final aspect of the case settled at last. The statement accurately conveys the seriousness of the offense while acknowledging the cooperation offered by this defendant. We trust that this resolution will provide Dolph’s family with a measure of closure.
