A jury has delivered a verdict of not guilty on all counts for Hernandez Govan, the man accused of planning Young Dolph’s 2021 murder. The trial began on August 18 and concluded with a blanket acquittal on Thursday, August 21, nearly four years after the rapper’s death inside a cookie shop in Memphis, Tennessee.
Govan was indicted in November 2022 on charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty and argued that he was involved in a wider conspiracy against artists affiliated with Young Dolph’s record label, Paper Route Empire.
Prosecutors attempted to link Govan to the killing through texts and testimony from law enforcement witnesses, including a Memphis police sergeant, a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation special agent, and Cornelius Smith, who was one of the two alleged gunmen involved in the murder. However, the defense presented evidence suggesting that there were other shootings planned against artists affiliated with Paper Route Empire, including a cancelled turkey drive event.
Young Dolph, born Adolph Thornton Jr., was a prominent rapper in Memphis, admired for his work with Three 6 Mafia and his rise to fame on Billboard charts. His murder remains shrouded in mystery, with some attributing it to a rap beef with Yo Gotti, whose brother Big Jook was later killed in a shooting.
The jury’s decision has brought closure to the trial, but questions about Young Dolph’s death will likely continue to be debated by fans and investigators alike.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/08/21/hernandez-govan-verdict-not-guilty-young-dolph-murder/85764524007