Yella Beezy found guilty of capital murder for MO3's death

DALLAS - Dallas rapper Yella Beezy was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in the murder-for-hire case involving rival rapper MO3. The guilty verdict was delivered on the sixth anniversary of the murder.

Yella Beezy, whose real name is Markies Conway, was 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 said Conway hired Kewon White to carry out the killing over a long-running feud.

Conway pleaded not guilty and denied involvement. White was previously convicted of capital murder for Noble’s death.

A third defendant, Devin Brown, is also charged with capital murder. He's still awaiting trial.

Live Updates

3:30 p.m. Attorneys react to the verdict

Prosecutor Tommy Adams said he and his team appreciated the verdict that the jurors came back with.

"I think that they got it right today. So, we're happy about it, of course," he said.

When asked if the verdict was intentional on the anniversary of Noble's death, Adams said he does believe in a higher power and that God has a plan.

"Det. [Eric] Barnes and I were talking about it. There were a lot of things that came together at 11/11, six years later. Barnes has testified three times on this whole thing. It was 3 o'clock when I was in there hugging Miss Noble. So, it was a lot a sleepless nights for everybody here that was involved. And I believe that this happened for a reason this way," he said.

The evidence in this case was circumstantial. Adams was asked what he thinks resonated with the jury the most to lead them to a guilty verdict.

"DNA circumstantial, but I think we all agree that DNA is great evidence. iCloud messages, the mapping by Special Agent [Taylor] Page, and Det. Barnes' tireless effort in the pursuit of justice and the truth. And I think that's what got us to this result today, six years later on the date. And we can't be more thankful for everybody's effort in this and the jurors time and thought. So thank you on behalf of the family. I'm speaking for them, but and on behalf of our office. I wanted to thank the jurors and everybody's effort in this, so thank you all so much. [00:05:34][32.7]

Defense attorney Toby Shook said he didn't think the state proved their case beyond a reasonable doubt. He is already working on plans for an appeal.

"Well, we really can't express the disappointment at the verdict. We're going to keep fighting. We have excellent appellate points and that will be the next step in the fight," he said.

2:40 p.m. Unanimous guilty verdict

Conway was convicted of capital murder by remuneration for the death of Noble. He was immediately sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Jurors were dismissed after they delivered their unanimous verdict.

Some people stormed out of the courtroom after the verdict was read. Others began weeping. No members of Noble's family offered victim impact statements.

Conway was then cuffed and taken away.

2:30 p.m. Verdict reached

Jurors announced they had reached a verdict.

2:20 p.m. Red light

Jurors once again turned on the red light. There seemed to be a lot of activity in the courtroom with people anticipating a verdict.

2 p.m. Jurors look at boxes of evidence

Officers could be seen carrying boxes of evidence into the jury room after lunch. These were likely the rap lyrics, FBI reports, and financial statements they asked to review just before the lunch break.

12 p.m. Noon Update

Jurors took a break from deliberations to have lunch. They were expected to resume at 1:15 p.m.

11:50 a.m. Red light

The right light next to the jury room came on again. Sources told FOX 4 jurors asked to review rap lyrics, FBI reports, and financial statements.

11 a.m. Waiting on a verdict

Jurors continued deliberating the case. 

Wednesday marks six years since Noble was killed on I-35 in Dallas.

10 a.m. Red light

Jurors pressed the red light button, signaling to the judge that they wanted to see all of the exhibits admitted into evidence, according to FOX 4 sources.

9 a.m. Jurors deliberating

Judge Chika Anyiam dismissed the jurors after closing arguments on Tuesday. She told them not to look at social media or discuss the case overnight.

They were expected to return to the jury room at 9 a.m. to begin deliberations. 

They were told to use the red light to signal the bailiff if they had a question, needed a break, or had reached a verdict.

Closing Arguments

During closing arguments, Assistant District Attorney Krystal Biggins detailed an "Ocean's 11"-style plot where shooter Kewon White ambushed Noble on I-35, firing over 40 rounds. She argued Conway placed a bounty on Noble, utilizing tipster Devin Brown and middleman Jerry Johnson to coordinate and funnel payments to White. Biggins pointed to wire transfers, seized cash, and testimony from Cedric Bradley, who stated White bragged about the murder and demanded payment.

Defense attorney Toby Shook pushed for an acquittal, asserting the state's case relied on speculation, rap lyrics, and investigator "tunnel vision." Shook highlighted conflicts in star witness Theodore Thomas's testimony, showing cell data placed Conway in Frisco rather than at an alleged barbershop meeting. He also challenged the financial narrative, demonstrating Conway routinely withdrew large sums in crisp $50 and $100 bills for family expenses, whereas White possessed rubber-banded, low-denomination street cash. 

John Gussio further argued for the defense that both artists were successful and lacked motive, directing jurors toward Brown, who had an intense personal dispute with Noble and logged 46 calls with White around the time of the shooting. The defense also dismissed Bradley’s testimony as a rehearsed bid to dodge a federal life sentence.

Prosecutor Tommy Adams delivered the final rebuttal, urging jurors to focus on "motive, money, and the man." He cited Conway’s return to North Texas, where he withdrew $40,000 cash, followed by 15 calls between Johnson and White that directly coincided with Conway's meetings. Rejecting claims of police tunnel vision, Adams maintained that the state proved both payment and remuneration.

MO3 Murder

MO3 was shot 11 times and killed on I-35 back on Nov. 11, 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 11: Jurors hear closing arguments in Yella Beezy capital murder trial, deliberations to begin in the morning
• Day 10: State rests in Yella Beezy's trial for Dallas rapper MO3's murder
• Day 9: Yella Beezy murder trial's 2nd week wraps with defense cross-examining lead detective
• Day 8: Jurors in Yella Beezy murder trial watch rap videos, hear testimony from lead detective
• Day 7: Key witness, lead detective take the stand in Yella Beezy's murder-for-hire trial
• 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