A Memphis jury found Hernandez Govan not guilty of orchestrating the 2021 murder of rapper Young Dolph. The verdict was delivered on Thursday after approximately three hours of deliberation. Govan, 45, faced charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy but was acquitted of all counts.

Govan was accused of directing the ambush that led to Young Dolph's death outside a bakery in Memphis. After the verdict, he embraced his attorney and expressed gratitude to Judge Jennifer Mitchell for his release. Prosecutors alleged that Govan had hired two men to carry out the shooting and intended to take a $10,000 cut from the crime.

Key testimony came from Cornelius Smith Jr., who admitted to being one of the shooters. Smith claimed that Govan provided weapons and informed him about Young Dolph's visit to Memphis for a Thanksgiving charity event. Prosecutors presented phone records that they argued linked Govan to the shooters and to Anthony "Big Jook" Mims, a music executive alleged to have ordered a $100,000 hit on Young Dolph.

However, Govan's defense attorney, Manny Arora, challenged the credibility of the police investigation. He argued that the evidence presented did not directly connect Govan to the murder. Arora described Smith as an unreliable witness, noting that Smith had previously changed his story and had financial ties to Big Jook's circle.

Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., was a well-known rapper and philanthropist in Memphis. He was shot and killed on November 17, 2021, while visiting a cookie shop to distribute Thanksgiving turkeys. Authorities reported that two men fired over 20 shots at him, resulting in his immediate death.

Smith, who is still facing murder and conspiracy charges, testified against Govan but has pleaded not guilty. His co-defendant, Justin Johnson, was convicted in 2024 and sentenced to life in prison. The case has drawn attention due to its connections to ongoing rivalries in the Memphis music scene, particularly involving Young Dolph and artists associated with Yo Gotti's label.

The tensions surrounding Young Dolph's murder continue to impact the local music community, as the investigation and legal proceedings unfold.