By Jeroslyn Jovonn
August 21, 2025
The alleged mastermind of the murder of Young Dolphs 2021 was freed from all charges.
The man who is accused
Govan Hernandez was acquitted on August 21 due to the first degree murder and conspiracy for the first degree of first degree, reported local Memphis. After a three -hour consideration on the third day of the court proceedings, the verdict was found in the killing of the young Dolph, the right name Adolph Robert Thornton Jr.
After the verdict, Govan spoke to reporters and thanked those who did not shy away from him and maintained his innocence.
“Many thanks to the jury for doing it right and getting my life back,” said Govan. “I knew in my heart that I was innocent. Without God I don't even believe that I would have made it so far. I'm just happy to be free.”
While the 45 -year -old Govan was not accused of killing the young Dolph, the prosecutors argued that he led the two men who did it. One of the shooters even said that Govan commissioned him to carry out the shootout for a circle of 10,000 US dollars. However, the jury was not convinced and approved by all charges in the early Thursday.
During the trial, Govan's defense lawyer criticized the police investigation and questioned the credibility of cell phone records that carried out his communication with the shooters. They argued that there was no direct evidence that combined him with the murder of Young Dolph.
“Fortunately, the jury listened; they saw the holes in the case,” said Govan's lawyer Manny Arora.
The young Dolph was back in his hometown to distribute Thanksgiving turkey when he was fatally shot in front of his favorite bakery, Makeda's homemade cookies. During the trial, Cornelius Smith Jr., who admitted to being one of the two armed men, said against Govan and claimed that he had hired him and Justin Johnson to carry out the goal.
Smith, who was described by Dolph's lawyer as a “pathological liar”, was also the most important witness to Johnson, who was convicted of the first degree murder in 2024 after he was identified as the second shooter. Smith was charged with murder and conspiracy for murder. He has not known himself guilty and a negotiation date still has to be determined.
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