ADA says Yo Gotti’s brother put up $100,000 bond

The murder trial belong to Young Dolph begins today (September 23) in Shelby County, Memphis. In opening statements, Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman made Yo Gottibrother of, Big JookJook, who died in January, is charged with murdering Dolph for $100,000.

For more context, Hernandez Govan, Justin Johnson, And Cornelius Smith Jr. being hooked for first degree murder and were supposed to go to trial together. The opposite happened in court on Monday.

Shelby County ADA Reveals Defendants Are Testifying Against Each Other

Govan was released on $90,000 bail and placed under house arrest at a second adjournment hearing in May. In addition to first-degree murder, he also faces attempted murder and conspiracy charges. Jermarcus Johnson previously accepted a plea deal in October 2023 to testify against the other defendants. His deal included pleading guilty to three counts of accessory after the fact and serving six to 12 years in prison.

Cornelius Smith Jr. followed in his footsteps and flipped the script. Faced with additional charges of unlawful carrying and possession of a weapon and theft of property, Smith agreed to testify against Jermarcus, according to ABC 24. It was a key update shared in prosecutors’ opening statements. However, county DA Steve Mulroy told the outlet that Smith declined to comment on Hernandez Govan. Ultimately, the fates of Smith Jr. and Govan will be decided through trial or plea, ABC 24 reported.

Yo Gotti’s brother mentioned on first day of Young Dolph murder trial

In addition to the defendants changing their names, prosecutors named another person in connection with Dolph’s murder. Hagerman accused Yo Gotti’s late brother, Big Jook, of being the mastermind behind the murder plot. Gotti and Dolph were rumored to be feuding on the streets, and on the first day of the trial, Hagerman claimed that Jook had spent $100,000 to end the fight, according to TMZ.

Cornelius Smith Jr. Confirms Big Jook’s Accusation

Although Big Jook is now a suspect in the murder plot, he will not testify. Gotti brother is dead on January 13 in a shooting near a Memphis restaurant. He was reportedly in the area for his uncle’s funeral and was eventually pronounced dead at the scene.

On Monday, Cornelius Smith Jr. took the stand and continued to implicate Big Jook in Dolph’s murder. He testified that he and Justin Johnson had to FaceTime Jook after the murder to confirm that it had happened. Smith said he never met Dolph, but claimed that Gotti’s brother promised on the call to “get up” with them. Smith claimed he would make $40,000 from the murder.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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