Justin Johnson will soon go to trial for killing Young Dolph, who had 22 bullets pumped into him in the parking lot of Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies in his hometown of Memphis on November 17.
His lawyer doesn't want him to face any 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.”
Evans added that "relentless" media coverage of the crime makes it difficult for his client to get a fair trial.
Johnson and Cornelius Smith Jr. have both pleaded not guilty in the killing of Dolph.
The judge will rule on the jury request during a hearing on February 7.