What a plea deal could mean for admitted second shooter Cornelius Smith Jr. in Young Dolph case

Case status after convictions and a separate acquittal

More than four years after Memphis rapper Young Dolph — born Adolph Thornton Jr. — was killed in a daytime shooting at Makeda’s Homemade Cookies in November 2021, the criminal cases tied to the homicide have moved through a series of trials, guilty pleas, and pending proceedings.

One defendant, Justin Johnson, has already been convicted of first-degree murder and related charges and received a life sentence, along with additional prison time on other counts. A separate defendant, Jermarcus Johnson, pleaded guilty to accessory-after-the-fact charges and later received a probationary sentence under a diversionary program.

Meanwhile, a jury in August 2025 found Hernandez Govan not guilty of charges alleging he organized the killing. That verdict removed one of the prosecution’s central theories from the courtroom record while leaving unresolved the case against the remaining alleged shooter.

Who is the “admitted second shooter,” and what charges remain?

Cornelius Smith Jr. has been charged in Shelby County Criminal Court with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, among other counts connected to the Young Dolph killing. Smith has previously acknowledged in sworn testimony that he participated in the shooting, but he has not been convicted in his own case. As of the most recent publicly reported court updates, he has entered not-guilty pleas and did not have a firm trial date publicly listed.

How plea deals typically work in a first-degree murder prosecution

In Tennessee, plea negotiations in homicide cases generally revolve around the charge level, sentencing exposure, and the evidentiary strengths and risks for both sides. A first-degree murder conviction carries the possibility of life imprisonment (and, in some cases, additional sentencing outcomes depending on the charging posture).

For an accused participant who has provided testimony in related proceedings, a potential plea agreement can include:

• A guilty plea to a reduced homicide charge with an agreed sentencing range.

• A guilty plea to first-degree murder in exchange for dismissal of some associated counts.

• Terms requiring continued cooperation, including testimony in any remaining proceedings, with sentencing recommendations tied to that cooperation.

Key factors shaping whether a deal is plausible in Smith’s case

Several verified, case-specific factors could affect the likelihood and scope of any agreement.

• Smith’s prior courtroom admissions: his acknowledged participation is significant evidence, but a plea still requires agreement on charges and punishment.

• The state’s leverage after other outcomes: one shooter has been convicted, and a separate alleged organizer was acquitted in 2025, changing the litigation landscape.

• Trial risk for both sides: prosecutors must still prove the charged counts beyond a reasonable doubt in Smith’s own case; the defense can test credibility, forensic proof, and corroboration.

A plea deal is possible in many homicide cases, but it is not automatic—even when a defendant has made damaging admissions—because the final terms hinge on sentencing, remaining charges, and each side’s assessment of trial risk.

What to watch next in court

The next meaningful indicators would be a scheduled trial date, any public notice of a plea hearing, or pretrial filings signaling negotiations. Until a plea agreement is entered in open court and accepted by a judge, Smith’s case remains unresolved and proceeds under the existing charges.