Yella Beezy Trial: Jurors Hear Highway Ambush Details

Jurors in the Yella Beezy murder trial heard detailed accounts on Tuesday of the highway ambush that killed rapper MO3. Witnesses described a masked gunman firing a rifle from a stopped vehicle, sending shrapnel into a nearby car and scattering debris across multiple lanes of Interstate 35 in Dallas.

Markies Conway, known professionally as Yella Beezy, faces a capital murder charge for allegedly hiring Kewon White to kill Melvin Noble, MO3's real name. Conway has pleaded not guilty and denied involvement in the 2020 shooting. Prosecutors argue the killing resulted from a long-standing feud between the two rappers. White was already convicted and sentenced to life in prison in September. A third defendant, Devin Brown, is also charged with capital murder.

Dr. Randall Graham, a neurosurgeon who was driving near the scene, testified that he was caught in the crossfire on Nov. 11, 2020. Graham said a bullet pierced his driver-side windshield and embedded shrapnel in his neck. He witnessed the gunman lock eyes with him before fleeing. Graham performed CPR on Noble for about 25 minutes until paramedics arrived, noting that the victim had numerous gunshot wounds and was not breathing normally.

Courtney Lozano, a forensic manager with the Dallas Police Department, walked the court through the physical evidence collected at the scene. She explained the difficulty of securing the busy highway, where traffic had to be redirected. Lozano described documenting fired cartridge cases, bullet fragments, and possible blood stains scattered across northbound and southbound lanes. Jurors viewed photos of Noble's vehicle, which showed multiple bullet holes on the lower front driver-side door. A bullet fragment was also found on the rear floorboard of Graham's Audi, near children's car seats.

The trial began Monday with opening statements that set contrasting narratives. Prosecutor Tommy Adams outlined a planned murder-for-hire scheme, citing surveillance, travel logs, and text messages. Defense attorney Toby Shook argued that the state had investigative tunnel vision. Shook pointed to a discrepancy in cash denominations, noting that Conway withdrew large bills while hitman White was found with small ones. The defense urged jurors to consider alternative motives involving co-defendant Devin Brown.

On the first day, Nicole Noble, the victim's mother, emotionally recounted learning of her son's death. Highway witnesses described the ambush, and dashcam footage from a delivery truck was shown. First responder Chris Bloodgood and Dr. Jeffrey Barnard, a former medical examiner, testified on resuscitation efforts and the fatal wound to Noble's heart. Jocylynn Jackson, Noble's girlfriend, testified that Brown made repeated calls to their young son on the morning of the murder to confirm Noble's presence at the apartment. Jackson suspected Brown, who denied involvement via text.

Conway appeared in court Tuesday wearing a brown suit and turtleneck. The trial is expected to last about two weeks. Judge Chika Anyiam seated an alternate juror on Monday due to childcare issues with another juror.