Hernandez Govan, the man accused of orchestrating the death of Memphis rapper Young Dolph, has been found not guilty on all of his charges.

Govan faced charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

Before reading, Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Jennifer Mitchell warned members of the jury, as well as family members, to dismiss themselves if they expected an outburst of emotion. Govan embraced his defense as he wiped away tears, expressing relief after learning of his freedom.

Deliberations concluded at around 10:30 Wednesday morning. Jurors took nearly 2 hours and 47 minutes to deliberate on the verdict after more than two days of testimony and closing arguments on the third day. Govan did not take the stand in his defense.

“We have to respect a jury’s decision even if we disagree with it,” said Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy at a press conference after the reading of the verdict.

When asked what could have gone differently in the proceedings, Mulroy states that he cannot know what individual jurors were thinking or feeling; however, he maintains that the prosecution was well prepared for the case. The district attorney also informed media personnel that Dolph’s family is very emotional but does not blame the jury.

Govan also spoke following the verdict, thanking his defense as well as the jurors, stating that his attorney, Manny Arora, took his case despite his lack of resources. When asked when he knew he had a chance at beating the case, Govan said that he always knew he had a chance, as he was always confident in his innocence. Govan also expressed that the desire to see his family, specifically his disabled son, gave him the strength to continue to fight the case.

A court official then informed Govan and the surrounding reporters that the judge cannot allow Govan to give an interview in the courtroom before the interview ended, as they all left the room.

Govan’s defense attorney Manny Arora also spoke following the verdict, saying he felt on edge due to the one-sided media coverage of the case, referring specifically to Govan’s characterization as an “accused mastermind, going further to say that the district attorney is offered a lot of privilege in being able to speak to the public before the case begins.

Arora cites the rather short deliberation period as proof of his accuracy in marking the case as a farce.

“When I go to 201 and look at the people in there, I know a lot of people do wrong, and I understand that, and I don’t want violence in the streets because I live in towns as well, but it’s just so wrong. If I can see it, there’s no way a jury couldn’t see it, and that’s why it took, what? Two hours to figure that out?” Arora said to reporters.

Govan spoke to reporters again outside the courtroom, where he revealed that Arora took the case pro bono. Govan once again mentioned his son, saying that seeing him is the first thing he plans to do. He said that despite his nerves before hearing the verdict, Govan never lost confidence in his legal team. When asked what advice he would offer to other poor, Black Memphians, Govan recommended leaving Memphis, which he plans to do.

Arora also spoke once more before he and his team left. He was asked why he and his team didn’t request a change of venue, to which Arora said that Memphis residents ought to see the legal injustice that took place, once again stating that Govan’s case signals gross corruption in the criminal justice system before leaving with Govan and the rest of his legal team. S: ABC Local Memphis