Young Dolph Trial: Man Says He Received Only $800 of Promised $40,000 to Kill Rapper

A man accused of being involved in the fatal shooting of Young Dolph in 2021 testified on Monday that he received only $800 of the $40,000 owed to him for carrying out a hit on the Memphis rapper.

Cornelius Smith claimed he was initially paid $500, followed by a payment of $300, but received nothing after that.

Smith claims he knew Johnson for a “few months” prior to the shooting. Smith alleges he and Johnson were supposed to receive $40,000 each, while Hernandez Govan, the alleged mastermind behind the operation, would get $20,000.

Govan allegedly informed Smith and Johnson of the $100,000 hit ordered by Yo Gotti’s late brother, Anthony “Big Jook” Mims, who was shot and killed earlier this year.

Smith, Johnson, and Govan have been charged with first-degree murder.

Smith testified they initially wanted to carry out the hit on Young Dolph at a Thanksgiving turkey drive but altered the plan after noticing his uniquely designed Corvette. The rapper was followed into the parking lot of Makeda’s Butter Cookies, where the shooting occurred.

Smith alleges he was struck in the arm and leg by Young Dolph’s brother Marcus Thornton as they fled the scene.

While recalling the timeline of events on November 17, Smith claimed at the 4:30 mark in the video up top that everything happened on the same day as his daughter’s birthday. “Man, I was trying to make it right for her,” Smith said when questioned if he killed someone on his daughter’s birthday. “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.”

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