In a surprising turn of events, a suspect in the murder case of Young Dolph, Shundale Barnett, has been released from custody just one day after his arrest due to a clerical error. Barnett was initially charged with accessory after the fact and attempted first-degree murder, along with theft of property, related to Dolph’s tragic killing in November 2021.
Barnett is closely related to Justin Johnson, who was convicted of murdering Young Dolph last year and sentenced to life in prison. On January 27, Barnett was arrested in connection with the case, but the charges were dropped the following day.
The Shelby County District Attorney’s office released a statement clarifying the situation. They explained that Barnett was found with Johnson during his arrest in Indiana, which led a task force officer with the U.S. Marshals to conclude there was probable cause to charge Barnett. However, as the investigation progressed, the DA’s office determined Barnett had no involvement in the case and chose not to pursue charges. Unfortunately, a delay in recalling the warrant kept it active in the system, resulting in a clerical error that was eventually resolved, leading to the dismissal of charges against him.
Additionally, Hernandez Govan, the alleged mastermind behind the murder, is scheduled to go to trial this summer.
In related news, Justin Johnson recently sought a new trial, provoking a strong emotional response from Young Dolph’s fiancée, Mia Jaye. Expressing her frustration on Instagram, she shared her feelings about Johnson’s motion for a new trial based on claims of “insufficient evidence.” Jaye stated, “Their arrogance feels like a cruel joke to me and my loved ones,” and affirmed her commitment to fighting for justice and honoring Young Dolph’s memory.
Johnson’s motion for a new trial was denied earlier this month, leaving the community in anticipation of the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding this high-profile case.
