Rapper Yella Beezy, whose real name is Markies Conway, is asking a Dallas County judge to force prosecutors to narrow their witness list ahead of his upcoming murder-for-hire trial.
The “That’s On Me” hitmaker‘s attorney, Toby Shook, filed the four-page motion Monday with the Dallas County Clerk. The filing challenges a State of Texas witness list that now names 264 potential witnesses.
Prosecutors initially identified 194 potential witnesses in a filing submitted July 27. The list included Brandon Rainwater, manager of slain Dallas 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.
The State later filed an amended witness list Aug. 3. The filing added 70 names, bringing the potential witness total to 264.
Prosecutors Tommy Adams, Ricardo Vela and Sharonda Davis are handling the case for the State.
Dallas Rapper Yella Beezy Asks Court To Force Prosecution To Downsize 264-Named State’s Witness List
Shook argues the expanded list does not provide meaningful notice of whom prosecutors actually intend to call. Instead, the defense says the disclosure resembles an investigative file rather than a focused trial list.
According to the motion, requiring the defense to investigate 264 people would consume limited time and resources. Shook argues that many listed witnesses may never testify.
The defense contends that a narrowed list is necessary for adequate trial preparation and a fair proceeding. Shook is asking Judge Chika Anyiam to order prosecutors to provide a “good-faith” narrowed witness list by Aug. 14.
The defense also wants prosecutors to separately identify potential rebuttal witnesses. Shook asks the court to bar undisclosed witnesses from testifying unless the State establishes good cause and provides reasonable notice.
The State has not responded to the motion as of Monday afternoon.
Anyiam has not ruled on the request.
A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Aug. 21. Jury selection and trial are scheduled to begin Aug. 24 in Dallas County Criminal District Court No. 7.
The dispute comes as prosecutors prepare to present their case against Conway, while his defense seeks clearer limits on the witnesses it must investigate before trial.
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