When Justin Johnson goes to trial for the murder of Young Dolph on June 3, there will be no one from Memphis on the jury.
Dolph had 22 bullets pumped into him in the parking lot of Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies in his hometown of Memphis on November 17, 2021.
Earlier this month, Johnson's lawyer argued he should not face jurors from Memphis.
“The victim in the case is beloved here,” attorney Luke Evans said. “A jury from somewhere else lacks that personal connection to the crime.”
Judge Jennifer Mitchell has agreed that jurors from the Memphis area couldn't give Johnson a fair trial.
"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," she said.
Johnson and Cornelius Smith Jr. have both pleaded not guilty in the killing of Dolph.