A childhood friend of Yella Beezy refused to answer questions in the rapper’s capital murder trial.
The witness, Theodore Thomas, known as Jose Bodega, repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment rights on Thursday when questioned about an alleged feud, his previous grand jury testimony, and a California trip in November 2020.
Thomas returned to court Friday with his attorney but did not take the witness stand.
Prosecutors called the situation “very fluid” as they considered their next steps.
Yella Beezy, whose legal name is Markies Conway, stands accused of arranging the November 2020 murder of fellow Dallas rapper MO3, whose real name was Melvin Noble.
Prosecutors allege Beezy paid Kewon White to ambush MO3 on Interstate 35 following a long-running feud.
Dallas-based rapper Theodore "Jose Bodega" Thomas took the witness stand in his friend rapper Markies "Yella Beezy" Conway’s murder trial today, repeatedly testifying, "I’mma plead the 5th to that" before the judge dismissed him. I’ve covered cases where judges won’t let witnesses invoke their 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination because they determined the witness isn’t facing criminal exposure. Thomas spoke to investigators and testified before a grand jury, but no on questioned the legality of his invocation today as Dallas County Assistant District Attorney Tommy Adams asked about his prior statements related to the 2020 shooting death of Melvin "MO3" Noble Jr. "You recall testifying about members of GRC, also known as Get Rich Cartel?" "I’mma plead the 5th to that." "Do you recall testifying to specific instances of the feud that was going on, and describing the feud between Markies Conway, Trap Boy Freddy, … as well as Melvin Noble, and what was going on during that time period?" "I’mma also plead the 5th to that." "Do you recall testifying about the assault of Roy Lee Pate and your involvement in the assault of Roy Lee Pate?" "I’mma plead the 5th to that." "Do you remember testifying and identifying Kewon White as the individual wearing blue underwear at the Ramona house?" "I’mma plead the 5th to that." A few minutes into the questioning, Judge Anyiam interjected, "It looks like he’s pleading the 5th to all material questions that you’re asking him. … What does the state want to do at this point, other than ask him questions to which he’ll want to invoke?" "Mr. Thomas. Is it your intention to invoke the fifth as it relates to everything that you testify to in grand jury?" Adams asked. "Yes," Thomas said. "And that relates also to all the prior consistent statements that you gave that were not under oath. Is that correct?" Adams asked. "Yes," Thomas said. Conway’s lawyer asked Thomas in cross-exam, "You gave a recantation to Detective Barnes with your attorney present? Is that correct?" "I’mma plead the 5th to that," he answered.
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) October 29, 2026
A firearms examiner told jurors that none of the weapons recovered during the investigation matched the 44 cartridge casings discovered at the murder scene.
On Friday, jurors watched evidence related to White’s arrest, including testimony about three loaded guns, nearly $10,000 in cash and drugs recovered during a traffic stop. A Federal Reserve employee also testified about the origins of two $100 bills, acknowledging that officials cannot trace money once it enters circulation.
White was previously convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Beezy has pleaded not guilty and denied any role in MO3’s death.
