Entertainment
Hernandez Govan found not guilty in ambush killing of rapper Young Dolph
A man on trial for organizing the ambush killing of rapper Young Dolph at a Memphis bakery in 2021 has been found not guilty.
A Memphis jury deliberated about three hours before finding Hernandez Govan, 45, not guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. He rejected an offer from the state last month to settle with a guilty plea, CBS News affiliate WREG reported.
On Thursday, Govan hugged his lawyer and thanked Shelby County Judge Jennifer Mitchell after she told him he was free to go.
Govan was not accused of shooting Young Dolph, but prosecutors claimed he directed the two people who did. The jury was not convinced, however, despite a man’s testimony that Govan hired him to “do the hits” and was going to take $10,000 as his cut.
Govan’s lawyer questioned the quality of the police investigation and the validity of cellphone communications between Govan and the men who shot Dolph, arguing that nothing in the communications directly incriminated Govan or tied him to the killings.
Paul R. Giunta/Invision/AP, File
Young Dolph, whose legal name is Adolph Thornton Jr., was a rapper, independent label owner and producer who grew up in Memphis and was admired in the city for his charitable works.
On the day of the 2021 ambush, the 36-year-old was in his hometown to hand out Thanksgiving turkeys to families when his visit to his favorite cookie shop turned into an attack that shocked the entertainment world.
Authorities said two men exited a white Mercedes-Benz and began shooting at the rapper at the bakery. He died after being shot about 20 times, according to a medical examiner’s report.
Four years earlier, Young Dolph suffered critical injuries in a 2017 attack, when three men approached and shot him over “beef,” according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Earlier that same year, he had been involved in a separate shooting where at least 100 bullets were fired at his SUV.
Testifying against Govan was Cornelius Smith Jr., who has admitted to being one of the two shooters who ambushed Young Dolph. Smith previously was the main witness against Justin Johnson, who was convicted of first-degree murder in 2024 after Smith named him as the second shooter.
Smith faces charges for murder and conspiracy to commit murder for his alleged role in Young Dolph’s death. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and does not currently have a trial date set. Johnson was originally sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole following his 2024 conviction, plus an additional 35 years for two additional convictions from his trial.
Memphis prosecutors have portrayed Young Dolph’s killing as part of an effort by Anthony “Big Jook” Mims to get revenge on Young Dolph for diss tracks aimed at Big Jook and the record label he helped run for his brother, rapper Yo Gotti. Smith has testified that Big Jook put out a $100,000 hit on Young Dolph as well as smaller bounties on all the artists at Young Dolph’s record label, Paper Route Empire.
At Johnson’s earlier trial, a prosecutor told jurors Cocaine Muzik Group (now known as Collective Music Group), a rival record label founded by Yo Gotti, wanted Young Dolph to work for them, but he turned them down.
Big Jook was shot and killed outside a restaurant in January 2024.
Smith testified Monday that “I didn’t know anything about Paper Route having no hits,” before Govan told him about them. He said Govan hired him to “do the hits,” including giving Smith guns for the killing, and was going to take $10,000 as his cut. Govan was also the person who told him and Johnson that Young Dolph would be in Memphis for the Thanksgiving turkey giveaway, so “that’s our opportunity,” Smith said.
Prosecutors introduced as evidence dozens of cellphone communications between Johnson, Smith, Govan and Big Jook ahead of the shooting.
Meanwhile, Govan’s defense attorney, Manny Arora, tried to paint Smith as an unreliable witness who would say anything to try to get a lighter sentence.
Arora pointed to previous testimony where Smith recalled a chance encounter with Big Jook. At the time, Smith implied that Big Jook was the person who hired him. After Smith was arrested, his attorney called Big Jook’s attorney and received somewhere between $38,000 and $50,000 in cash. Smith said on Monday that he did not know who had supplied the money.
Smith also testified that he previously heard that Govan might be working with the FBI. Arora asked why Smith would take a job from Govan if that were the case. Smith said Govan was “innocent until proven guilty.”
Govan did not testify in his defense.
Smith is charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder but has pleaded not guilty and does not yet have a trial date.
Johnson was sentenced last September to life in prison with the possibility of parole. He was later sentenced for two other convictions from the trial: conspiracy to commit murder and being a felon in possession of a gun.
Natalia Dyer, known for her role as Nancy Wheeler in Stranger Things, addresses a big blunder she made in season finale.
At the end of season four, the city Hawkins had giant rifts of the Upside Down opened up in the ground across the city, however Nancy and her brother Mike (Finn Wolfhard) fail to inform the rest of their family about it.
In the new season, the fans witness the consequences of her parents being in oblivion, when a Demogorgon attacks them putting her parents, mom Karen (Cara Buono) and dad Ted (Joe Chrest), in critical condition in hospital and their little sister Holly (Nell Fisher) getting kidnapped by Vecna.
In an interview with Variety, Dyer revealed the reason why Nancy kept her parents in the dark.
“This actually was a conversation with the Duffers,” Dyer said. “In that discovery of what’s happened since, what have we said to people? What have we explained?”
She added, “You have this military presence all around, and I think there’s this sense of — especially within Nancy — there’s this wanting to protect. I think in this scenario, especially like with her family, sometimes you feel like not telling is protecting.”
Dyer explained that since the incident Nancy feels “a lot of guilt” and sees the loss as “a failure” despite trying to do the right thing.
However, she also revealed the positive impact it has on the Wheelers, saying, “I think that’s also a bonding moment for the Wheelers. I think it’s a galvanising moment for what they have to do ahead of them.”
In addition to Wolfhard, Buono, Crest and Fisher, Dyer also stars along with her boyfriend Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), who is also her love interest in the series and Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Nancy’s ex-boyfriend.
Stranger Things season five volume one is now streaming on Netflix.
It looks like the Prince and Princess of Wales’ children are about to have a very merry Christmas indeed.
After Princess Kate revealed that Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, were a little sad about missing the Royal Variety Performance, their festive prayers have been answered.
The young royals have reportedly been invited to watch the West End sensation Paddington: The Musical.
This stage show, a heartwarming spin-off of the beloved marmalade-loving bear, has already cemented its status as a British cultural institution.
Paddington famously shared a sandwich with the late Queen Elizabeth II during her Platinum Jubilee, and the character has since become a symbol of tribute to the monarch.
Speaking exclusively to HELLO! from the red carpet, producer Sonia Friedman said, “We can’t wait for Paddington to meet the children of the Prince and Princess of Wales—it’s going to be very special.”
Friedman, known for hits like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, added, “We’re very proud. It’s taken hundreds of people and many years to get to this point, and now we’re handing it over to the audience—it feels amazing.”
The royal couple have already had a sneak peek, enjoying a performance number from their private box during the Royal Variety Performance on November 19.
Producer Eliza Lumley described the moment as “iconic,” calling it a royal seal of approval for the production.
Even Tom Fletcher couldn’t hide his excitement: “I invited Their Royal Highnesses to see the show, so hopefully they’ll make it to the theatre.
Performing a tiny peek for them at the Royal Variety was surreal—they seemed to really enjoy it, and I hope the kids do too.”
Charlie Puth did not audition for Wicked.
The popstar is shutting down the recent buzz claiming he auditioned for the blockbuster films.
The singer took to X on Saturday, November 29, and cleared the speculation in a joke-filled reply after a fan account shared a list of artists who were rumoured to have read for roles in the two-part movie.
“I never auditioned for Wicked I would be so bad lol,” wrote Puth, 33.
The list included some huge names such as Jennifer Lopez, Shawn Mendes, Renee Rapp, Katy Perry, Harry Styles, Amanda Seyfried, Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas, Dove Cameron, Lea Michele and Jessie J.
While Puth was never in the running, several of those stars have previously confirmed that they did audition for the films.
Amanda Seyfried has been open about how badly she wanted the role of Glinda. She explained her audition experience in 2022, saying she was juggling filming The Dropout while preparing for the musical tryout.
“Last summer while I was playing Elizabeth [The Dropout], on the weekends I was auditioning in person to play Glinda in the movie version of Wicked — because I wanted it that much,” she told Backstage.
She shared that she sacrificed her Sundays just to go for it.
Even before Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were cast as Glinda and Elphaba, other big names were linked to the project.
Lady Gaga had been attached to the film as Elphaba during early development before director changes were made, according to OK! Magazine.
Actress Cristin Milioti also confirmed she tried for the role. She told her audition story on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, explaining how she was excited but nervous to sing in person again after COVID.
She recalled being asked to belt the hardest music and said, “I open my mouth and the sound that escaped me is something I will hear on my deathbed. It was disgusting. I sounded terrible.”
Despite many stars chasing those iconic roles, Charlie Puth wasn’t one of them—and he’s more than happy to set the record straight himself.
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