Rapper Young Dolph’s Killer Admits He Committed Murder on His Daughter’s Birthday to Fund Her Party

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One of the shooters involved in rapper Young Dolph’s murder testified this week. Cornelius Smith, who pleaded guilty to the murder that occurred in November 2021, took the stand and implicated himself, Justin Johnson, Hernandez “Quett” Govan, and Anthony “Big Jook” Mims, the brother of rapper Yo Gotti, in the killing of the Memphis rapper.

Smith testified that Govan organized the hit and that Big Jook offered $100,000 for the job. He stated that he and Johnson were each supposed to receive $40,000, while Govan would get $20,000.

However, Smith revealed that he only received $800, although Big Jook later paid $50,000 in legal fees after Smith was apprehended.

He also disclosed that he and Johnson carried out the murder on the same day as his daughter’s birthday. When asked why he went through with it, Smith explained that he needed the money to make his daughter’s day special.

“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 stated that he felt guilty after his arrest and had sobered up.

He attributed his drug use to the trauma of losing his 9-year-old son in 2020. Smith emphasized that he wasn’t expecting leniency; he spoke out 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 offered $100,000 for the job, was murdered in January 2024.