Current:Home > ScamsJudge in Young Dolph case removes himself based on appeals court order-LoTradeCoin
Judge in Young Dolph case removes himself based on appeals court order
View Date:2024-12-24 00:42:18
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A judge removed himself from the Young Dolph murder case Friday after he was ordered to do so by a Tennessee appeals court, which questioned whether he could be impartial to a man charged with killing the rapper two years ago.
Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Lee Coffee asked the court clerk to assign a new judge in the high-profile case. The Tennessee Court of Appeals issued its order Sept. 28 after Coffee refused to step down at the request of the lawyer for Justin Johnson, who is charged with two other men in the fatal shooting of Young Dolph in November 2021.
The lawyer, Luke Evans, had argued that Coffee could not be impartial after the judge failed to inform him about an order limiting Johnson’s ability to communicate with people outside the jail other than Evans.
Johnson and Cornelius Smith have pleaded not guilty in the killing of Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr. The rapper, producer and independent music label owner was gunned down in a daylight ambush at a Memphis bakery, where he was buying cookies while back in is hometown to visit a sick relative and hand out Thanksgiving turkeys.
A third man, Hernandez Govan, has pleaded not guilty to organizing the killing, which shook Memphis and the entertainment world.
veryGood! (63)
Related
- Powell says Fed will likely cut rates cautiously given persistent inflation pressures
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Jibber-jabber
- 'It's gone': Hurricane Milton damage blows away retirement dreams in Punta Gorda
- Modern Family's Ariel Winter Shares Rare Update on Her Life Outside of Hollywood
- Target will be closed on Thanksgiving: Here’s when stores open on Black Friday
- Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Donate $1 Million to Hurricane Helene and Milton Relief Efforts
- Donald Trump’s Daughter Tiffany Trump Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby With Michael Boulos
- Gerrit Cole tosses playoff gem, shutting down Royals and sending Yankees back to ALCS with 3-1 win
- GM recalling big pickups and SUVs because the rear wheels can lock up, increasing risk of a crash
- Sean “Diddy” Combs to Remain in Jail as Sex Trafficking Case Sets Trial Date
Ranking
- Amazon's 'Cross' almost gets James Patterson detective right: Review
- Fisher-Price recalls 2 million baby swings for suffocation risk after 5 deaths
- Fisher-Price recalls 2 million baby swings for suffocation risk after 5 deaths
- Milton by the numbers: At least 5 dead, at least 12 tornadoes, 3.4M without power
- Controversial comedian Shane Gillis announces his 'biggest tour yet'
- Far from landfall, Florida's inland counties and east coast still battered by Milton
- NHL tracker: Hurricanes-Lightning game in Tampa postponed due to Hurricane Milton
- California man, woman bought gold bars to launder money in $54 million Medicare fraud: Feds
Recommendation
-
As Northeast wildfires keep igniting, is there a drought-buster in sight?
-
Deion Sanders rips late start time for game vs. Kansas State: 'How stupid is that?'
-
Saoirse Ronan Details Feeling “Sad” Over Ryan Gosling Getting Fired From Lovely Bones
-
An Update From Stanley Tucci on the Devil Wears Prada Sequel? Groundbreaking
-
How to Build Your Target Fall Capsule Wardrobe: Budget-Friendly Must-Haves for Effortless Style
-
The drownings of 2 Navy SEALs were preventable, military investigation finds
-
Alaska US Rep. Peltola and Republican opponent Begich face off in wide-ranging debate
-
Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial date set for sex crimes charges: Live updates