The trial of Yella Beezy, whose real name is Markies Conway, is in its second week. Prosecutors allege Conway paid Kewon White to kill Dallas rapper MO3, whose real name is Melvin Noble, in a 2020 ambush on Interstate 35 in Dallas over a long-running feud. Conway has pleaded not guilty to capital murder and denied involvement. White has already been convicted of capital murder in Noble's death. A third defendant, Devin Brown, also faces a capital murder charge. The trial is expected to last about two weeks.
On Tuesday, Dallas Police Officer Nicholas Brooks testified that he had provided off-duty security for Conway. Brooks said he texted Conway right after the shooting to ask whether he was involved. During cross-examination, defense attorneys said Brooks and Conway were close friends and that Brooks had invited Conway to his wedding.
The court also heard about a separate 2018 drive-by shooting that seriously injured Conway. Lewisville Police Officer Sean Doherty testified that the case remains unsolved because Conway refused to press charges. Doherty said Conway told detectives that cooperating with police would hurt his rap persona and public image. FBI Special Agent Taylor Page later presented cellphone tower data tracking the movements of Conway and his co-defendants.