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.
Entertainment
Extended interview: Donnie Wahlberg – CBS News
Entertainment
Princess Eugenie, Jack Brooksbank mark major milestone with PDA-filled moment

Princess Eugenie marked 7th wedding anniversary with her husband Jack Brooksbank.
In order to celebrate sweet milestone, the Princess of York took to Instagram on Sunday and shared an intimate photo with her husband.
The picture showed Eugenie and Jack sharing a sweet PDA-filled moment.
In the caption, Eugenie wrote, “Happy Anniversary..”
Adding, “7 years and counting!”
Royal fans poured their love in the comments section with one stating, “Happy 7th anniversary Eugenie and Jack , you are an amazing couple.”
Meanwhile another added, “That’s a great photo, congrats!”
“Happy anniversary to you both what a beautiful couple,” the third comment read.
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank tied the knot on October 12, 2018. The royal couple share two sons together: August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, four, and Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank, two.
Entertainment
Marvel makes big update on ‘X-Men ’97’ future

At New York Comic Con, Marvel makes a series of splashing announcements. One of them is the renewal of X-Men ’97 for season three.
The studio did not stop at the announcement; it also showed the trailer to the attendees of the festival, which saw the return of many characters, including Apocalypse, an evil mutant.
Not to mention, the show’s season two, which is highly awaited, is announced to drop in 2026 on Disney+.
X-Men ’97, which first made a debut in March 2024, received positive reviews as it continued the story of the hit series of the 1990s, X-Men: The Animated Series.
In related news to Marvel, James Gunn, the co-head of DC, recently made a statement. He, during a virtual press conference, shared that in his mind he had an idea of having Deadpool as a cameo in season two of Peacemaker.
“Yeah, I wanted them to open the door and see Deadpool in a room,” he said, wishing to have a historic crossover between Marvel and DC.
The director even had a conversation with Ryan Reynolds, who plays Merc with a Mouth. “And I talked to Ryan Reynolds about it.”
However, complex legal hurdles put a brake on his thoughts. “But I think we would’ve had to go through some pretty big hoops to do that! He wanted to do it.”
Peacemaker season two, meanwhile, is streaming on HBO Max.
-
Tech1 week ago
AI could make it easier to create bioweapons that bypass current security protocols
-
Tech6 days ago
I’ve Tested Countless Mesh Systems. Here Are the Routers I Recommend
-
Tech1 week ago
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Is Next Week, but We Already Found 40 Early Deals
-
Fashion1 week ago
Aeffe shares fall after applying for negotiated settlement procedure
-
Tech1 week ago
Amazon is overhauling its devices to take on Apple in the AI era
-
Tech1 week ago
All Hail the Surprisingly Versatile Packing Cube! These Are Our Favorites
-
Tech1 week ago
AI in an ‘industrial bubble’ but will benefit society: Bezos
-
Tech1 week ago
Combat Dry Indoor Winter Air With a New Humidifier