The murder trial of Young Dolph began on Monday, September 23.

During the trial of his co-defendant Justin Johnson, murder suspect Cornelius Smith took the stand and admitted to shooting the rapper, whose real name was Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., outside Makeda’s Butter Cookies in Memphis on November 17, 2021. The shooting, which occurred in broad daylight, was reportedly part of a $100,000 bounty placed by Yo Gotti’s brother, Big Jook.

Yo Gotti and Young Dolph had a well-known feud dating back to 2016. In September 2017, an associate of Yo Gotti was arrested for attempted murder after a shooting targeting Dolph, but the charges were later dropped.

Smith testified that he was the one seen firing the semi-automatic weapon in the CCTV footage of Dolph’s murder. While Johnson is the only one of the three suspects currently on trial, Smith’s testimony was pivotal in building the case against him.

Smith also revealed that he had only received $800 of the promised $100,000 payment before his arrest, with Big Jook later adding $50,000 to his lawyer’s retainer. “I wasn’t feeling anything at the time,” Smith stated. “I’m not gonna lie. I was just trying to get some money.”

Big Jook, born Anthony Mims, lost his life earlier this year on January 13 following a shooting incident at a Memphis restaurant after a funeral service. He was transported to St. Francis Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries, according to Fox 13 Memphis.

Yo Gotti has yet to comment on the allegations that his brother was involved in Dolph’s death.

On Monday, September 16, Sean “Diddy” Combs was taken into federal custody in New York following a grand jury indictment, just days after Dawn Richard, a former member of his groups Danity Kane and Dirty Money, filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault, battery, and failure to provide fair compensation.

The indictment, initially sealed, was unsealed on Tuesday, September 17, revealing that the music mogul faces three charges:racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The federal document states that Diddy “engaged in a persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and others.”

With allegations dating back to 2008, the indictment accuses Combs of abusing, threatening, and coercing women over the years “to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his behavior.”

This development follows an ongoing federal investigation involving sex trafficking and other criminal offenses, which led to search warrants being executed at his homes in Beverly Hills and Miami in March.

Last November, former Bad Boy singer and model Cassie filed a lawsuit against Combs, accusing him of rape and prolonged physical abuse spanning over a decade. The legal action, filed in Federal District Court in Manhattan under the Adult Survivors Act, detailed that the abuse began shortly after Cassie, born Casandra Ventura, signed with Combs’ Bad Boy Records at age 19.

In May, CNN obtained footage of Sean “Diddy” Combs brutally assaulting Cassie in 2016 at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles.

The unsealed indictment portrays Combs as the leader of a criminal enterprise involved in activities including sex trafficking, forced labor, interstate transportation for prostitution, drug offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice. It also describes the “Freak Off” parties, where Combs allegedly organized and directed elaborate sexual performances, during which he would often masturbate and record the events electronically.

As previously reported, Cassie’s lawsuit, which was settled within 24 hours, detailed a disturbing practice referred to as “voyeurism,” where Combs allegedly coerced her into participating in sexual encounters with male prostitutes while he watched, filmed, and photographed. These events, referred to as “freak offs,” took place in luxury hotels and at Combs’ residences across the U.S.

The indictment also reveals that during the raids on Combs’ homes, authorities seized various “freak off” supplies, including narcotics and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant. Firearms were also discovered, including three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers and a drum magazine.

Prosecutors allege that in late 2023, after public allegations surfaced, Combs and his associates attempted to pressure victims and witnesses, including through bribery, to remain silent.

If convicted, Diddy is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, and a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison. U.S Attorney Damian Williams opposes granting bail, as his office believes he is both a flight risk and a threat to society.

Sean “Diddy” Combs has reportedly been taken into federal custody in New York following a grand jury indictment, just days after Dawn Richard, a former member of his groups Danity Kane and Dirty Money, filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault, battery, and failure to provide adequate compensation.

“Over the decades following his rise to fame, Mr. Combs’ star-studded, larger-than-life persona overshadowed his vicious temper and pervasive acts of violence directed towards those in his inner circle – specifically, women,” the lawsuit alleges.

According to TMZ, Diddy was detained at the FBI’s Manhattan field office. His arrest is linked to an ongoing criminal investigation involving allegations of sex trafficking and other offenses. The investigation prompted search warrants at his homes in Beverly Hills and Miami earlier this year, in March.

Diddy’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, expressed disappointment in a statement to TMZ: “We are disheartened by the U.S. Attorney’s decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, devoted family man, and dedicated philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, raising his children, and empowering the Black community.”

Agnifilo further stated, “Though he is not without flaws, Mr. Combs is not a criminal. He has fully cooperated with the investigation, even voluntarily relocating to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. We ask the public to withhold judgment until all facts are known. These are the actions of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”