Jewelry owner testifies in second week of Yella Beezy murder trial

Karim Ali, owner of Manhattan Jewelers in Arlington, testified on Monday morning that his store handled custom orders for rapper Yella Beezy and his associates. Conway, the defendant in the capital murder trial, is accused of hiring Kewon White to kill Dallas rapper MO3 in 2020. The trial entered its second week on Monday with testimony focused on jewelry and cash transactions.

Ali detailed the creation of diamond pendants, watches, and medallions for Conway and the group known as the Get Rich Cartel. Prosecutors showed jurors exhibits including diamond GRC pendants featuring rifle emblems. An invoice for roughly $76,000 in custom work, including diamond bracelets and a watch, was entered into evidence. Ali identified Conway in the courtroom as a customer.

Records also showed transactions under the name Banzzo Bling, a name used by convicted gunman Kewon White. Receipts from late November 2020 listed custom jewelry pieces ordered by a contact named Jerry. The defense used surveillance video from November 22, 2020, to question the payment method. The video showed White paying with rubber-banded stacks of cash.

Defense attorneys pointed out distinct patterns in the rubber bands used to hold the bills. They noted bands in black, red, and beige. Counsel argued that large cash payments and wrapped bundles were standard practice for entertainer clientele. They compared the store images to other evidentiary photos to support this claim.

Testimony on Friday included Joseph Catania, a director with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Catania spoke about tracking serial numbers on two $100 bills linked to shipments in Florida and Dallas. He stated that the Federal Reserve cannot monitor cash once it is spent. The defense noted that the district attorney's office contacted the Federal Reserve in April 2025.

Timothy Glenn, head of security at the Mondrian hotel in West Hollywood, testified about Conway's stay in November 2020. Prosecutors initially suggested a 26-night booking. Defense evidence showed the trip was originally booked for three nights and extended incrementally.

Juan Hernandez, a narcotics sergeant with the Mount Pleasant Police Department, described a high-speed traffic stop of White on November 23, 2020. Officers found $9,670 in bundled cash, marijuana, THC edibles, promethazine syrup, a fake grenade, and three loaded firearms. The guns included an AK-47 style rifle and a Glock handgun.

Lieutenant Travis Nichols testified about recorded jail calls from White in Titus County. Nichols said carrying over 300 $5 bills was rare in his career. Theodore Thomas, a childhood friend of Conway, was called to the stand but did not testify after invoking his Fifth Amendment rights. Prosecutors asked Thomas and his attorney to return on Wednesday.

MO3, whose real name was Melvin Noble, was shot 11 times on Interstate 35 in Dallas in 2020. Prosecutors allege Conway paid White to carry out the ambush over a long-running feud. White was found guilty of capital murder in September and sentenced to life in prison. Conway has pleaded not guilty. Devin Brown is a third defendant charged with capital murder. The trial is expected to last about two weeks.