TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on May 18, 2026

Cornelius Smith, who testified during two trials that he participated in the killing of Memphis rapper Young Dolph, pleaded guilty Friday, the Commercial Appeal reports. Smith is the final defendant connected to the case to resolve charges in Shelby County Criminal Court, more than four years after the rapper’s death. Under the plea agreement, Smith pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman, who prosecuted most of the Young Dolph-related cases, said Smith’s cooperation helped secure the conviction of co-defendant Justin Johnson.