As the thirteenth juror, I affirm this verdict.
Im feeling relief that justice was brought today.
Brown attended the trial in person and was in the courtroom Thursday when the verdict was read.
Young Dolph performs in concert at Gramercy Theatre on January 31, 2019 in New York City.John Lamparski/Getty Images
We had reassurance it was a strong case, but we didnt know everything, Brown says.
Based on the evidence, it wasnt a shock [Johnson was convicted].
The person responsible had to reap the consequences and get what they deserved.
It was worth the wait.
She thanked law enforcement, prosecutors and everyone involved for their diligent work in securing the conviction.
Shelby County Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman revealed Mims alleged connection to the deadly shooting in hisbombshell opening statementMonday.
(A rep for Yo Gotti did not immediately reply to a request for comment.)
Hagerman argued Thursday that even without Smiths testimony, the state had enough to convict Johnson.
Thats called being caught all the times, Hagerman argued.
Dolph has been killed, and we literally see him at the elevator with his suitcases.
…Hes caught on video all the times.
Cornelius Smith and Justin Johnson killed Adolph Thornton Jr. on November 17th.
We watched it happen, Hagerman said.
Hes guilty of the murder because we watched it on the video.
In his dueling closing argument, Johnsons defense attorney, Luke Evans, urged jurors to not trust Smith.
He said Bass Pro hats were a fad at the time, worn by musicians including singer Gwen Stefani.
Similar doesnt mean the same, he argued.
He said Smiths fingerprints were recovered from the vehicle but not Johnsons.
Its never justice to wrongfully convict someone, Evans said.
[Johnson] didnt kill Adolph Thornton Jr. Hagerman named 100 Shots as one of the so-called diss tracks that fanned the feud.
How the fuck you miss a whole hundred shots?
he asks in the song.
He said they quickly turned around, parked their vehicle, jumped out and opened fire.
Asked what it felt like to kill Thornton, Smith said his only concern was getting paid.
I wasnt feeling nothing at the time.
Im not gonna even lie.
I wasnt feeling nothing at the time.
I was just, you know, trying to get some money, Smith testified.
I was aiming for Dolph.
I shot through the glass.
I wasnt close up on him.
I shot through the glass.
I saw him standing by the window.
I just got out and started shooting.
We need to keep moving forward and doing what he would want us to do, Brown says.
