Shundale Barnett, the cousin of Justin Johnson—who was convicted in the murder of Memphis rapper Young Dolph—was arrested on Monday by Shelby County deputies. However, just a day later, charges against Barnett were dropped, raising questions about the legal process surrounding his arrest.
The Arrest and Initial Charges
Barnett was originally charged with accessory after the fact, first-degree murder, and theft of property valued between $10,000 and $60,000. His arrest came after a warrant was issued in connection with Young Dolph’s killing in November 2021. The rapper, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., was shot and killed at Makeda’s Homemade Cookies in Memphis, a crime that shocked the hip-hop community and the city.
Barnett was first taken into custody in January 2022 in Indiana alongside his cousin, Justin Johnson. At that time, U.S. Marshals apprehended both men, but Barnett was later released. His alleged involvement in the case has been unclear from the start, and his legal status has been in limbo ever since.
Charges Dropped Due to Warrant Confusion
On Tuesday afternoon, just a day after his arrest, all charges against Barnett were removed from court records. The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office clarified that the charges had not been pursued and that his warrant should have been recalled before he was taken into custody.
A spokesperson for the office explained that although Barnett was originally charged as an accessory, the warrant had not been updated properly after authorities decided not to prosecute him. This administrative oversight led to his unnecessary arrest.
The DA’s office has since stated that it is reviewing the situation to ensure that similar mistakes do not occur in the future.
Barnett’s Previous Arrest and Release
Barnett’s legal troubles date back to 2022 when he was arrested alongside Johnson in Indiana. At the time, Johnson was wanted for Young Dolph’s murder, while Barnett faced the now-dismissed accessory charge. Shortly after his initial arrest, Barnett was released, and it was assumed that his legal involvement in the case had ended. However, his unexpected re-arrest on Monday suggests that lingering issues in record-keeping contributed to his ongoing legal troubles.
What’s Next?
With the charges now officially dropped, Barnett is once again a free man. However, the case highlights potential flaws in the legal system, particularly in managing warrants and case dismissals. The Shelby County DA’s office has promised to investigate the matter further, ensuring that mistakes like this do not affect other individuals in the future.
As for the broader case, Young Dolph’s murder trial continues to draw attention, with multiple individuals facing prosecution. But for now, Shundale Barnett is no longer among them.
