MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A Memphis man testified Monday that he and a second person shot the rapper Young Dolph after Big Jook, rapper Yo Gotti’s brother, gave him a punch.

Cornelius Smith identified himself and Justin Johnson as the two people seen on surveillance video dated November 17, 2021, exiting a white Mercedes in front of a Memphis cookie shop about 30 seconds after Young Dolph entered the store then opened fire in broad daylight.

Smith testified on the first day of Johnson’s trial on charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of a weapon.

Smith is also charged with murder and conspiracy. Johnson’s attorney, Luke Evans, said jury in the opening statements that they should not trust Smith’s testimony because he was only trying to save himself. Johnson is innocent, Evans said. Photos of him wearing clothing like the person in the video do not mean he is the same person, Evans said.

Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman said in his opening statement that Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., was determined to make a breakthrough as an artist and also with his own label, Paper Route Empire.

“Trying to go it alone can create enemies,” Hagerman said.

He noticed that Yo Gotti had founded the rival record label Cocaine Muzic Group (now known as Collective Music Group) and wanted Young Dolph to work for them, but he refused. Young Dolph later wrote diss tracks aimed at the label, its artists and his “number two”, Big Jook.

Young Dolph had survived previous shootings. He was shot multiple times in September 2017 after a fight outside a Los Angeles hotel. In February of that year, his SUV was shot at more than 100 times in Charlotte, North Carolina. The incident was the inspiration for the song “100 Shots.” He said he survived because his vehicle had bulletproof windows.

According to media reports, Big Jook, whose real name was Anthony Mims, was shot outside a restaurant in January 2024.

Smith, who said he was shot in the arm and leg by Marcus Thornton, young Dolph’s brother, as he fled the cookie shop shootout, testified that he had received only $800 before his arrest. He said his lawyer later paid Big Jook an additional $50,000.

When asked by Hagerman how he felt after shooting Young Dolph, Smith said, “I didn’t feel anything at the time. I won’t lie. I was trying to get some money.”

Smith testified that his young son had died several months earlier and he had started “taking pills and not caring about anything.” His conscience only bothered him later, when he sobered up in prison, he said.

Jermarcus Johnson pleaded guilty in June 2023 In three cases he is said to have acted as an accessory after the murder by helping Smith and Justin Johnson, his half-brother.

Jermarcus Johnson admitted that he helped the two suspects communicate by cell phone while they were on the run from authorities and helped one of them communicate with his probation officer. Jermarcus Johnson was not convicted.

Hernandez Govan pleaded not guilty to organizing the murder.

The young Dolph began his career by releasing numerous mixtapes, starting with 2008’s “Paper Route Campaign.” His numerous studio albums include his 2016 debut “King of Memphis.” He also worked on other mixtapes and albums with fellow rappers Key Glock, Megan Thee Stallion, TI, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz and others.

Three of his albums reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200, with 2020’s “Rich Slave” peaking at No. 4.

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Travis Loller contributed to this report from Nashville, Tennessee.