Yella Beezy trial enters second week with security officer on stand

The capital murder trial for rapper Yella Beezy entered its second week on Monday in Dallas.

Markies Conway, known professionally as Yella Beezy, faces charges related to the 2020 ambush shooting of rapper MO3 on Interstate 35. Prosecutors allege Conway paid Kewon White to carry out the killing during a long-running feud. Conway has pleaded not guilty to capital murder and denied involvement in the plot.

Dallas Police Officer Nicholas Brooks took the witness stand on Day 6 of the trial. Brooks described his work as private, off-duty security for Conway and Conway’s girlfriend’s business, D Hair Boutique. He testified that he banned local rapper Trapboy Freddy from being present during his shifts. Brooks told the court, "Normally, if he's there, there's going to be a problem."

Brooks stated that he paid Conway electronically using Zelle for these services. He explained that shortly after hearing a rapper had been shot on the freeway, he immediately texted Conway. Brooks said he reached out because he knew about the ongoing internet feud and wanted to know if Conway was the shooter or the victim. The state questioned Brooks on these logistics and his communication habits.

Defense attorneys used the testimony to build a connection between the officer and the defendant. They pointed out that Brooks was the one who first contacted Conway for the security job. The defense emphasized that Brooks had to teach Conway how to use the Zelle app to process the payments. They also noted that the two grew close enough that Brooks invited Conway to his wedding. Brooks joked in court about Conway naming his newborn child after him.

The trial is expected to last about two weeks. A third defendant, Devin Brown, is also charged with capital murder in connection with the death of Melvin Noble, the real name of MO3. Conway’s trial was delayed by one month to allow his legal team to review the transcript from White’s previous trial.

In the preceding day’s testimony, prosecutors focused on establishing a timeline of travel and cash exchanges. They questioned an American Airlines employee and an Arlington jeweler. Flight records indicated that Conway and a witness named Thomas flew to Los Angeles days before the 2020 murder. White later purchased custom jewelry with thick bundles of cash.

A Dallas police detective testified about tracking Conway’s vehicle on the freeway before officers arrested him at an apartment complex. The defense argued that last-minute flights and large cash purchases are standard practices for entertainers. They also noted that police did not formally charge Conway with evading arrest during the freeway pursuit.

Prosecutors challenged Thomas regarding his sudden change in testimony. They argued he changed his story out of lifelong loyalty to Conway. A prosecutor asked, "In the past year and a half, you have never once recanted or said 'I lied' about anything, correct?" Thomas replied, "Correct." He admitted waiting until just before White’s trial to change his account, claiming he originally cried before the grand jury because he felt guilty about lying.

White was found guilty of capital murder in September and sentenced to life in prison. Jurors viewed video of the shooting and heard testimony about the alleged payment from Conway. MO3 was shot 11 times during the ambush on Interstate 35 in 2020.