MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The wheels of justice, some say, have been slow to turn in the death of rapper Young Dolph. It has been more than two years since he was gunned down, and the case has yet to be tried.
Monday morning was supposed to be the day one of the alleged gunmen was set to go to trial. However, the case was delayed.
“I was extremely upset when the lawyers came to me asking for a motion to continue this case,” Judge Jennifer Mitchell said.
Both the defense and prosecutors are asking for more time to get expert witnesses in place.
Defense attorneys for Justin Johnson, one of the men accused of pulling the trigger, plan to call one expert to the stand.
Prosecutors are aiming to bring two to trial.
“These are cellphone experts regarding location information on cellphones,” said Paul Hagerman, Shelby County assistant district attorney.
After a short period of time, the second alleged gunman, Cornelius Smith, was also escorted into court.
Smith was also informed he would go to trial at a later date. After sitting for less than a minute, he made his way back out.
Last up in court was Jermarcus Johnson, who had already entered a guilty plea to a charge of being an accessory after the fact.
“Their report says you are not compliant with weekly call-ins,” Mitchell said to Jermarcus Johnson. “I am not sure what the problem is.”
Johnson and his attorney promised there would no longer be an issue.
Hernandez Govan, the alleged mastermind behind the killing, stood alongside Johnson, as he too was also ordered to return with the other three defendants.
“We are joined at the hips with the other defendants. At this point, things are going to proceed,” said Handel Durham Jr., Hernandez’s attorney.
Before the scheduled trial date on Sept. 23, both Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith are set to appear in court for a motions hearing Aug. 9.