Judge cites heavy press coverage as reason for ruling
Young Dolph’s murder suspects Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith Jr. will learn their fate from a jury selected from outside Memphis, Associated Press reported on Friday (February 9).
Judge Jennifer J. Mitchell ruled in favor of a motion filed by Johnson’s defense on February 2 to have jurors come from outside Shelby County. Due to heavy media coverage and popular outrage about Dolph’s November 2021 shooting death at a cookies spot in his hometown, Memphis, the defense argued that the jurors’ judgement could be clouded.
“This court is wary that jurors from Shelby County will not be able to lay aside their opinions or impressions and render a verdict based upon the evidence presented,” Judge Mitchell said in her ruling.