In a significant step towards justice, Justin Johnson, the man convicted of murdering rapper Young Dolph, has been sentenced to an additional 50 years in prison.
Judge Jennifer Mitchell delivered the ruling on Friday, handing down 35 years for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and 15 years for being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun.
These sentences will run concurrently with his existing life sentence for first-degree murder.
The courtroom was filled with emotion as Young Dolph’s family shared a powerful statement, expressing their pain and anger.
They condemned Johnson’s actions, saying, “You may deny your actions but the evidence speaks clearly. You showed yourself to be driven by jealousy and cowardice.”
The family emphasized that while Johnson sought to harm Dolph out of envy, he has ultimately lost far more than he could ever gain.
The prosecution had recommended a harsher sentence, arguing for consecutive terms, but Johnson’s defense attorney argued against it, citing that his current life sentence leaves him with no chance for parole until his 70s.
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This sentencing follows Johnson’s recent motion, filed on October 25, 2024, requesting a new trial.
His attorneys claim the evidence presented was insufficient for a murder conviction and criticized the court for allowing graphic images of the crime scene during the trial.
They also contended that Johnson’s rights were violated when his motions to sit at the counsel table were denied.
Young Dolph was tragically shot and killed on November 17, 2021, at Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies in Memphis.
His death has since raised alarms about the ongoing violence in the music industry, prompting conversations about the safety of artists in the spotlight.
