Dallas rapper Yella Beezy, legally known as Markies Conway, has formally requested a Dallas County judge to order prosecutors to downsize an expanding witness list that now includes 264 names ahead of his high-stakes murder-for-hire trial. The legal maneuver highlights escalating pre-trial friction as both sides prepare for court proceedings scheduled to begin later in August 2026.
The Defense Motion and the Challenge of 264 Witnesses
Conway’s defense attorney, Toby Shook, filed a four-page motion with the Dallas County Clerk on Monday, August 10, 2026. The filing targets a State of Texas witness list that has swelled significantly over the past few weeks, moving from an initial 194 names submitted on July 27 to an amended total of 264 names filed on August 3.
Shook argues in the court document that the massive roster fails to provide meaningful notice regarding which individuals prosecutors genuinely intend to call to the stand. According to the defense, the expansive disclosure resembles an investigative file rather than a focused trial list. Requiring the defense team to investigate 264 separate individuals places an undue burden on limited time and resources, especially given that many listed persons may never testify.
Through the motion, Shook is asking Judge Chika Anyiam to command prosecutors to supply a “good-faith” narrowed witness list by August 14, 2026. Additionally, the defense wants the state to separately identify potential rebuttal witnesses and bar any undisclosed individuals from testifying unless the prosecution establishes good cause and provides reasonable notice.
High Stakes Surrounding the Dallas Capital Murder Case
The upcoming legal battle stems from one of the most serious challenges of Conway’s career. According to Baller Alert, Conway was indicted in March 2025 on charges of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot tied to the November 11, 2020, fatal shooting of fellow Dallas artist Mo3 on Interstate 35E. Following his arrest on March 20, 2025, Conway was initially held on a $2 million bond, which was later reduced to $750,000. He is currently under house arrest with electronic monitoring.
Prosecutors handling the case for the State include Tommy Adams, Ricardo Vela, and Sharonda Davis. State filings indicate that the witness roster features several notable figures from the regional hip-hop community and individuals linked directly to the investigation. The list includes Brandon Rainwater, manager of the slain rapper Mo3; Conway’s girlfriend, DeAndrea Harris; rappers Trapboy Freddy and Jose Bodega; and alleged co-conspirators Jerry Johnson (also known as Maserati), Devin Brown, and Kewon White.
Authorities have previously pointed to evidence such as surveillance footage and a cash withdrawal of $40,000 allegedly connected to the plot. With a potential conviction carrying severe penalties, including the death penalty as noted in court coverage by Baller Alert, both sides are clashing heavily over evidentiary boundaries and pretrial disclosures.
Pretrial Schedule and Unresolved Legal Disputes
As of Monday afternoon, the State had not filed an official response to the defense motion, and Judge Chika Anyiam had not yet issued a ruling on the request to downsize the list. The dispute sets the stage for a critical pretrial hearing scheduled for August 21, 2026.
Jury selection and the official trial are slated to begin on August 24, 2026, in Dallas County Criminal District Court No. 7. Beyond the size of the witness list, Conway’s legal team has previously sought comprehensive access to investigative evidence, photographs, lab reports, and disclosures regarding whether any cooperating witnesses received deals or incentives from prosecutors.
With the clock ticking down to trial proceedings, the courtroom skirmishes over witness transparency and investigative scope remain pivotal to how the defense will prepare its strategy. How Judge Anyiam rules on the August 14 deadline for the narrowed witness list will likely set the tone for the courtroom arguments later this month. What evidence or witness testimony do you think will ultimately carry the most weight once this trial begins?
