AceShowbiz - More than three years have passed since the tragic and untimely death of Tennessee rapper Young Dolph. In that time, multiple individuals have been implicated, including two men charged with his alleged murder and a third, Jermarcus Johnson, who played a supporting role in the unfolding drama.

Jermarcus Johnson, the half-brother of convicted murderer Justin Johnson, was recently spared jail time and sentenced to six years of diversion. According to Shelby County Judge Jennifer Mitchell, his sentence includes job training, drug testing, community service and refraining from owning a firearm. If he completes the program successfully, his record could be cleared.

Jermarcus had pleaded guilty to three counts of serving as an accessory following the fatal attack on Young Dolph. His limited involvement, lack of a prior criminal record and cooperation with authorities worked in his favor. Shelby County Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman emphasized Johnson's "very, very limited role" in the case, noting that Jermarcus had no prior criminal record.

According to various reports, Jermarcus assisted his half-brother and another suspect, Cornelius Smith Jr., by facilitating phone communications and aiding in their attempts to evade law enforcement. He testified that Justin Johnson came to him post-murder and handed him a phone, requesting his help in managing social media accounts and spoofing parole calls. Prosecutors pointed out that while Jermarcus' involvement was much lesser than the primary accused, his actions still contributed to the post-crime activities.

Justin Johnson was convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was handed a life sentence, which was recently extended by an additional 35 years. Justin's defense team is currently seeking a retrial, arguing that the verdict was contrary to the evidence presented.

Meanwhile, Cornelius Smith, another key figure in the case, testified during Justin Johnson's trial. He admitted to shooting and killing Young Dolph and identified himself and Justin in surveillance footage from the crime scene. Smith's testimony also implicated other individuals, including Hernandez Govan and Anthony Mims, who allegedly orchestrated the hit on Young Dolph.

The legal proceedings continue to develop, with a trial date for Hernandez Govan set for March 10, 2025. As the story unfolds, it remains a grim reminder of the complexities of crime, loyalty and consequence within urban communities.