Today, Cornelius Smith, the final defendant charged in the killing of Adolph Thornton Jr., known to so many as Young Dolph, pled guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years.
Smith’s cooperation was helpful in the State’s case against his co-defendant Justin Johnson, who was found guilty in 2024 and sentenced to life in prison plus an additional 35 years.
From the beginning, this case has been about justice for Dolph, accountability for those responsible, and standing with a family and a community that continue to carry the weight of his loss.
Dolph was more than a nationally known artist. He was a father, an entrepreneur, a proud Memphian, and a beloved member of this community. He believed in this city, gave back to the neighborhoods that shaped him, and was here in Memphis continuing that tradition of service when his life was taken outside Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies in South Memphis.
This was a tragic and senseless loss. Nothing about today’s sentence can bring Dolph back or erase the pain felt by his family, friends, fans, and the Memphis community. But with this final resolution, I hope those who loved him can feel some measure of closure and know that his life will continue to matter.
Defendant Arraigned in Shooting of Memphis Police Officer; State Seeks Life Without Parole: Danell Maxwell, the man charged in the February 26 shooting of Memphis Police Officer Torres-Molina, appeared in court this week and entered a plea of not guilty. Prosecutors with the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office also filed notice that the State intends to seek Life Without Parole if Maxwell is convicted.
Maxwell faces charges of Attempted First-Degree Murder and Employment of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony. The case will now continue through the criminal court process.
The charges stem from a February 26 traffic stop involving Officer Torres-Molina, during which prosecutors allege Maxwell shot the officer.
Chief Prosecutor Monica Timmerman is handling the case.
Jury Conviction Leads to 11-Year Sentence in Voluntary Manslaughter Case: Assistant District Attorneys Brittany Neal and JD Hamblen successfully prosecuted Warrick Tennial, who this week received an effective 11-year sentence following his jury conviction earlier this year. The court sentenced Tennial to serve 5 years at 100% for Voluntary Manslaughter and 6 years at 100% for Employing a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, with the sentences ordered to run consecutively. A jury previously found Tennial guilty as charged on February 13.
Jury Finds Defendant Guilty on Six Counts in Voluntary Manslaughter Case; Firearm Charge Included: Chief Prosecutor Monica Timmerman and Assistant District Attorney Jack Gould successfully prosecuted Kordelro Harris, who a jury found guilty as charged on six counts, including Voluntary Manslaughter and Employing a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony.
DA Mulroy Speaks to Greater Memphis Chamber Chairman's Circle
Dr. Natasha Burnett Speaks to R3 Cohort on Trauma and Resilience
 Victim Witness Coordinator Dr. Natasha Burnett recently spoke with the City of Memphis – Office of Community Affairs Opportunity R3 Program cohort, sharing insights on understanding trauma and preventing past experiences from negatively shaping the future. She also discussed her role as a Victim Witness Coordinator and how the District Attorney’s Office supports victims.
Opportunity R3 (Rethinking, Rebuilding, and Rebranding) is a six-week workforce development program for youth ages 16–24, designed to help participants develop professional skills, explore career options, and build pathways to personal and professional success. The program encourages young people to rethink their futures, rebrand their identities, and rebuild their opportunities with purpose.
"Any attempted murder is wrong, but attacking the very people we depend on to keep us safe is especially harmful to public safety," Shelby County DA Steve Mulroy said in a statement. "It sends a dangerous message, and we must counter it. The statute specifically provides for a life without parole sentence when the attempted murder is against an on-duty law enforcement officer. Here, we expect to prove the defendant shot an MPD officer in the face at point-blank range during a traffic stop. If [life without parole] isn't appropriate here, I don't know when it would be." |DA seeking life without parole for man accused of shooting Memphis cop| via The Commercial Appeal
In 2010, Andrew Hayes was convicted of the 2007 beating death of Danny Harris, but in January of 2026, the D.A.’s office said he never should’ve been in prison in the first place. “We believe that that conviction should be vacated,” said Shelby County D.A. Steve Mulroy. |Hearing for Memphis man wrongfully convicted of 2007 murder reset| via Radio WREG 3
“They’re misleading because they failed to take into account the many cases in which defendants had received significant amounts of jail time prior to conviction,” Mulroy said. “They’re also misleading because they lump in cases that aren’t violent cases or where the judge disagreed with our recommendation for prison time,” he said. “They also fail to take into account situations in which the defendant did not have a significant criminal history, or where there were proof problems that made it risky to go to trial.” |Mulroy accuses Blackburn, Taylor of distorting Memphis crime numbers for political gain| via The Daily Memphian
"We asked questions about MPD training and practices in anticipation of a defense argument that officers 'simply followed their training,' which is a common defense in police use-of-force cases," Mulroy said. "We also provided documents and discovery to defense counsel in accordance with our office's written policy."... "We communicated with the victim's family and their counsel — including showing them the video and keeping them apprised of the investigation — just as we would in any case, because we are victim-focused. We won't do that less simply because the defendants are police officers," he added. |City alleges Tyré Nichols attorneys shaped criminal cases to help lawsuit| via The Commercial Appeal
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