Young Dolph’s alleged killer Justin Johnson says he is indigent and cannot afford to hire an attorney to represent him in court.
Johnson and co-defendant Cornelius Smith (below left) are charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Memphis rap legend Young Dolph in November.
In a previous court appearance, Johnson and Smith said they were “working on” hiring attorneys to represent them in court (watch video below).
RELATED: Young Dolph’s Suspected Killer Justin Johnson Arrested In Indiana
Johnson, a 23-year-old aspiring rapper, flashed large amounts of cash in rap videos and on Instagram.
He was back in court on Monday, February 7, to face a charge of violating a sex offender registration order. Johnson was charged with aggravated rape in 2015, according to court records.
Johnson explained to the judge that he is broke and unable to afford an attorney. General Sessions Judge Karen L. Massey appointed a public defender to represent him on the sex offender charge. However, he is still without an attorney for the murder case.
Johnson faces individual charges of first-degree murder, criminal attempted first-degree murder, unlawful carrying or possession of a weapon, employ of a firearm with intent to commit a felony and theft of property $10,000-$60,000, court records show.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of life (60 years) in prison if convicted. Johnson is required to serve a minimum of 85% of his prison sentence if convicted.
