Memphis, Tennessee, November 1, 2023
In a significant development, an appeals court in Tennessee has issued a ruling mandating the removal of “Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Lee Coffee” from the high-profile Young Dolph murder case. The court expressed concerns about Judge Coffee’s ability to maintain impartiality during the trial of an individual charged with the murder of the renowned rapper Young Dolph, who tragically lost his life two years ago.
The decision by the Tennessee Court of Appeals was delivered on September 28, after Judge Coffee declined to recuse himself from the case despite a request from the defense attorney representing Justin Johnson, one of the accused.
Justin Johnson, along with two other individuals, is facing charges related to the fatal shooting of “Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr.” The accomplished rapper, music producer, and independent music label owner was fatally shot in broad daylight at a Memphis bakery while visiting his hometown to support a sick relative and distribute Thanksgiving turkeys.
Attorney Luke Evans, representing Justin Johnson, contended that Judge Coffee’s impartiality had been compromised due to the judge’s failure to inform him about an order that restricted Johnson’s communication with individuals outside the jail, with the exception of his attorney. Cornelius Smith, Johnson’s co-defendant, has also entered a plea of not guilty in this case.
Judge Coffee, who previously set a trial date for Johnson and Smith on March 11, recusing himself has raised questions about the trial’s scheduling.
Another individual, Hernandez Govan, who has pleaded not guilty, is accused of orchestrating the killing, an event that deeply impacted Memphis and the entertainment industry.
Evans sought Judge Coffee’s recusal after Johnson’s visitation privileges were curtailed, preventing him from communicating outside the jail, including with his family. Johnson faced accusations of recording a rap song during a jail phone call, as reported by media outlets.
It is important to note that Judge Coffee issued the order without notifying the defense or conducting a hearing, a move that Evans characterized as “punitive.” In his defense, Judge Coffee maintained that he had issued the order for Johnson’s safety and vehemently denied any allegations of partiality, emphasizing that he had not made any judgments regarding Johnson’s guilt or innocence.
However, the appeals court expressed concerns about Judge Coffee’s handling of the case, particularly highlighting his discussion of jail recordings and their release with a law enforcement official during a phone call, in which Johnson and his lawyer were not present. The court considered this action to be improper and believed it could be perceived as prejudicial against Johnson.
In light of these developments, the appeals court overturned Judge Coffee’s denial of the recusal motion and ordered the reassignment of a new judge to the case.
In response to this decision, Luke Evans expressed his satisfaction and noted that Justin Johnson eagerly anticipates his day in court. This change in judicial oversight represents a significant milestone in the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the tragic murder of Young Dolph, an event that continues to resonate with music fans around the world.