Overview

• After roughly three hours of deliberation, the jury found Govan not guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy, and he was released from custody.
• Prosecutors said Govan directed the ambush and would take a $10,000 cut, presenting testimony from admitted gunman Cornelius Smith Jr. along with phone records.
• The defense attacked the investigation and argued the communications did not directly implicate Govan; he did not testify and had declined a plea offer last month.
• Co-defendant Justin Johnson was convicted in 2024 and is serving a life sentence, while Smith still faces murder and conspiracy charges without a set trial date.
• Prosecutors have linked the case to an alleged $100,000 bounty tied to Anthony “Big Jook” Mims, a claim raised in testimony that remains unresolved in court.