Dallas – The murder‑for‑hire trial of rapper Yella Beezy, whose legal name is Markies Conway, entered its seventh day on Tuesday, with fresh testimony that highlights the complex web of relationships and evidence surrounding the 2020 killing of fellow Dallas rapper MO3 (Melvin Noble).
Police officer recounts off‑duty security role
Dallas Police Officer Nicholas Brooks testified that he provided off‑duty security for Conway. Brooks said he texted Conway immediately after the freeway shooting to ask whether he was involved, noting an ongoing internet feud between the two artists. During cross‑examination, defense counsel emphasized that Brooks and Conway were close friends, even noting that Brooks had invited Conway to his wedding.
2018 drive‑by shooting remains unsolved
Lewisville Police Officer Sean Doherty took the stand to discuss a separate 2018 drive‑by shooting that left Conway seriously wounded with multiple gunshot wounds. Doherty explained that the case remains unsolved because Conway refused to press charges, telling detectives that cooperating with police would damage his rap persona and public image.
FBI cellphone‑tower analysis links co‑defendant to crime scene
FBI Special Agent Taylor Page presented extensive cellphone‑tower data tracking the movements of Conway and his co‑defendants. The digital footprint placed co‑defendant Kewon White directly at the I‑35 scene moments before the fatal shooting. Cell‑phone records also showed a sharp increase in calls between White and another co‑defendant, Devin Brown, immediately after the attack.
Financial trail and alleged middleman
After the murder, records indicated that Conway withdrew $40,000 in cash from a bank in Frisco. Agent Page suggested that Jerry Johnson acted as a middleman, noting that Johnson’s device moved between Conway’s area and the other suspects. However, the agent also confirmed that there was no direct cellphone communication between Conway and either White or Brown.
Background on the case
MO3 was shot 11 times and killed on I‑35 in 2020. Prosecutors allege that Conway hired White to carry out the murder as part of a long‑running feud. In September, a jury found White guilty of capital murder and sentenced him to life in prison after viewing video evidence and hearing testimony. Prosecutors also presented evidence of an alleged payment from Conway to White.
Conway has pleaded not guilty to capital murder and continues to deny involvement. His trial, expected to last about two weeks, was delayed by a month so his lawyers could obtain a copy of White’s trial transcript. A third defendant, Devin Brown, also faces a capital‑murder charge.
FOX 4 will continue live coverage of the trial each day after testimony begins around 9 a.m.
Original reporting: Dallas – Ft. Worth Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
