Judge scolds suspect in Young Dolph case for doing interview while on house arrest
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The alleged mastermind behind the killing of Memphis rapper Young Dolph is in trouble with the court again after doing a video interview while on house arrest.
Hernandez Govan appeared before the judge after missing his court appearance the day before.
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“You should not be making any public statements, and you should be in the house,” said Judge Jennifer Johnson Mitchell on Friday. “At this point, the court feels like you’re playing and loose with the court stipulations. I don’t like that.”
Govan is out on bond and is currently under house arrest. He recently filed a motion to have his bond modified so he could get a job to support his family.
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However, the judge says before she could review the bond modification, she received upsetting news. “I get a message from a concerned citizen that you’re out doing interviews.”
WREG learned a 28-minute interview with Govan was posted on YouTube days prior.
Prosecutor Paul Hagerman says he has reviewed the interview. “They talked about rap music and various rappers, and they talked some about Mr. Govan’s daughter who’s deceased now.”
His attorney, Manny Arora, admitted the recording should not have happened. “It wasn’t the smartest thing to talk from house arrest on a YouTube video, but it wasn’t anything about the case. In fact would say ‘No comment’ anytime someone tried to ask him about the case.”
Judge Mitchell also addressed Govan’s disappearance from court the day before. His attorney says he was told by local counsel that he did not have to appear before the judge, so he left.
However, Judge Mitchell says that was not the case. “Were you not on my docket yesterday,” she asked him. “You were supposed to be here. Bottom line.”
This is the second time a judge has had to get stern with Govan. The first time it happened was during a court appearance with Judge Lee Coffee before he recused himself from the case.
Govan requested the terms of his bail be relaxed so he could leave his home freely and get a job. The judge denied the request after being notified that Govan violated the terms of his bail by traveling outside Shelby County.
“Please don’t give me a reason to have to revoke this bond, and we won’t even have to have these conversations,” said Judge Mitchell.
Govan will be back in court on March 1 for a review of his bond conditions.
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