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DALLAS - The trial for Yella Beezy, who is accused of orchestrating a murder for hire plot that killed Dallas rapper MO3, is now in its second week.
Yella Beezy, whose real name is Markies Conway, is accused of paying another man to gun down MO3, whose real name is Melvin Noble, in an ambush on Interstate 35 in Dallas in 2020.
Prosecutors allege Conway hired Kewon White to carry out the murder over a long-running feud.
Conway has pleaded not guilty to capital murder and denied involvement.
White has already been convicted of capital murder for Noble’s death.
A third defendant, Devin Brown, is also charged with capital murder.
Conway's trial is expected to last about two weeks.
Live Updates
9 a.m. Trial resumes
FOX 4 will have live coverage of the trial each day after testimony begins around 9 a.m.
Wednesday's Recap
In court on Wednesday, jurors heard testimony from three key witnesses concerning the Nov. 11, 2020 ambush murder of Noble (MO3) on I-35.
Cedric Bradley, a childhood friend and federal inmate, took the stand first. Bradley testified that an ongoing rap dispute over money and drugs existed between Noble, defendant Conway, and Trapboy Freddy. He stated that White confessed to gunning down Noble, shooting from a vehicle, pursuing him on foot, and shooting him in the back. He noted White was angry about not receiving the promised payment for the hit.
On cross-examination, defense attorneys attacked Bradley’s credibility, pointing to his guilty plea on federal drug and machine gun charges, a pending probation revocation carrying potential life exposure, and his desire to return home to his daughter. The defense highlighted that during a 2024 proffer meeting, Bradley denied any knowledge of the homicide. In response, prosecutors emphasized that Bradley signed his federal plea agreement prior to meeting state prosecutors and had accurately learned shooting details from White rather than autopsy files.
Next, forensic financial analyst Deanna Davenport testified regarding Conway’s 2020 Chase bank accounts, which showed $1.44 million in revenue alongside significant cash withdrawals. Prosecutors focused on two $40,000 cash withdrawals from a Frisco branch, specifically emphasizing one made nine days after the homicide that lacked a corresponding deposit or usual revenue pattern. The defense noted Conway's legitimate entertainment earnings and argued the expenditures could reflect personal expenses.
Finally, lead detective Eric Barnes began his testimony, formally identifying Conway in the courtroom. Barnes described the challenges of investigating retaliatory rap disputes, clearing Noble’s bodyguard, and identifying Brown ("Chicago") as a prime suspect following interviews with Noble’s girlfriend and her mother. He's expected to return to the stand on Thursday morning.
MO3 Murder
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VIDEO: Rapper Mo3 chased down by hitman on I-35
Prosecutors released video of rapper Mo3 being shot at and chased down by a hitman on I-35 in Dallas. The video was shown during a bond hearing for fellow rapper Yella Beezy who allegedly hired the hitman Kewon Dontrell White.
MO3 was shot 11 times and killed on I-35 back in 2020. Prosecutors allege the shooting was part of a murder-for-hire plot organized by rapper Yella Beezy, whose legal name is Markies Conway. They claim he paid Kewon White to carry out the murder over a long-running feud.
In September, jurors found White guilty of capital murder and sentenced him to life in prison after viewing video and hearing testimony about the shooting. Prosecutors also presented evidence of an alleged payment from Conway to White.
Conway has pleaded not guilty to capital murder and denied involvement. His trial was delayed by a month so that his lawyers could get a copy of White’s trial transcript.
A third defendant, Devin Brown, is also charged with capital murder.
Continued Coverage
- Day 6: Jurors in Yella Beezy's capital murder trial hear testimony on cellphone locations
- Day 5: Yella Beezy murder trial key witness Theodore Thomas claims he lied in grand jury testimony
- Day 4: Yella Beezy murder trial key witness doesn't testify, ordered to return on Wednesday
- Day 3: Yella Beezy murder trial continues on Day 3 with testimony from informant Jose Bodega
- Day 2: Yella Beezy murder trial testimony on Day 2 focuses on crime scene evidence, surveillance photos
- Day 1: Yella Beezy on trial for Dallas rapper MO3's murder
- Jury seated in Dallas rapper Yella Beezy’s capital murder trial
- Kewon White’s lawyers seeking a new trial over sleepy juror
- Kewon White files appeal in MO3 murder conviction
- Kewon White found guilty, sentenced to life in prison for MO3's murder
The Source: The information in this story comes from trial testimony and past news coverage.