UPDATE: The judge ruled for pre-trial motions, the State’s responses, and the court’s rulings in this case will be sealed until further notice.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The alleged “mastermind” behind Memphis rapper Young Dolph’s death appeared in court Monday morning, ahead of his trial scheduled for next month.

Hernandez Govan is facing charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and attempted first-degree murder in connection with the crime in November of 2021.

It wasn’t until a year later, in November 2022, that Govan was indicted. Govan has been out on bond since 2023.

He was expected in court on Monday for a motion hearing, this after several motions were filed.

In one filing, there is an effort by the defense to suppress some evidence, and in another motion, the defense had asked the court to dismiss the indictment.

He rejected the state’s offer to settle with a guilty plea.

Pre-trial motions will continue on Tuesday for Govan.

His trial has been reset several times this year — it’s now scheduled for Aug. 18.