A new suspect was briefly involved in the Young Dolph murder case, but it appears that this was a mistake, and the charges have now been dropped.
Shundale Barnett was arrested on Monday, January 27, and charged with accessory after the fact, attempted first-degree murder, and theft of property, in connection with Dolph’s November 2021 murder. Barnett is the cousin of Justin Johnson, who was convicted of the crime last year and sentenced to life in prison.
However, the case against Barnett was dismissed the following day. The Shelby County District Attorney’s office released a statement explaining the situation.
“During the investigation of Justin Johnson, Shundale Barnett was found with [Justin] Johnson at the time of his arrest in Indiana,” the statement said. “Based on this and other facts, a task force officer with the U.S. Marshals determined there was probable cause to charge Barnett with Accessory After the Fact, and an arrest warrant was issued as part of standard procedure.
“As the investigation progressed, the DA’s Office determined that Barnett was not involved in the case and chose not to pursue charges, indicating the charge would be withdrawn. However, a delay in recalling the warrant left it active in the system. This clerical issue has now been resolved, and the charges against Barnett have been officially dismissed.”
Another suspect in the case, alleged mastermind Hernandez Govan, is scheduled to stand trial this summer.
In the fall, Justin Johnson filed for a new trial, which led to an emotional response from Dolph’s fiancée.
On Halloween, Mia Jaye shared her feelings on Instagram via her Black Men Deserve To Grow Old streetwear brand, reacting to Johnson’s motion.
Alongside a screenshot of the news, Jaye wrote: “It’s infuriating to see the person who took our loved one’s life now seeking a new trial over ‘insufficient evidence.’ Their arrogance feels like a cruel joke to me and my loved ones.”
She added: “We won’t let this deter us; we will keep fighting for justice and honor the memory of Adolph [heart emoji].”
Johnson’s motion was denied earlier this month, with reports stating it was related to a dispute over evidence used to convict him.
