Yella Beezy’s upcoming capital murder trial took another important turn Tuesday as his defense focused on the federal cooperation deal involving Theodore Thomas, better known in Dallas music circles as Jose Bodega, an expected prosecution witness with ties to Beezy’s musical circle.
Video
According to live courtroom updates from journalist Bryson “Boom” Paul, defense expert Julianna Moore testified during the October 6 hearing about Thomas’s federal case, sentencing exposure and agreement to cooperate with the government.State of TX v. @YellaBeezy214:
At 10:33 AM: Julianna Moore testified that Theodore Thomas (Jose Bodega) spoke to the government, received a plea agreement, and received federal guidelines while facing 151 months and on court 1 and count 7 in federal indictment.
At 10:35 AM: Judge Chika Anyiam demands the prosecution and defense avoid speculation and stick to the facts. “Sustained” the prosecution’s objection twice after Yella Beezy’s defense informed the Judge that Theodore Thomas was threatened with a RICO charge.
At 10:38 AM: Julianna Moore testified that a Rico allegation was not in Theodore Thomas plea agreement and federal guidelines prepared by her. Moore testified that Theodore Thomas pled guilty to court 1 in federal court and received a plea agreement/supplement filed in Yella Beezy case. Moore testified that Theodore Thomas filed a plea supplement in the Yella Beezy case and agreed to testify against Yella Beezyas part of cooperation in the mud-for-hire case as part of Thomas agreement of court 1 of drug conspiracy in a different federal case. Moore testified that it is a benefit for Thomas to testify in Yella Beezy cases. Moore testified that Thomas would have his case dismissed if he testified against Yella Beezy and complete a steps program.
At 10:43 AM: Julianna Moore testified that Theodore Thomas gun charge was dismissed and received a “huge benefit” with only pleading guilty to drug conspiracy when asked by Yella Beezy’s defense. Moore testified that Theodore Thomas (Jose Bodega) got his case dismissed.
#yellabeezy #yellabeezytrial #hiphoptrials
— Bryson “Boom” Paul (@brysonboompaul) October 6, 2026
Paul reported that at approximately 10:33 a.m., Moore testified that Thomas spoke with the government and received a plea agreement while facing federal sentencing guidelines that exposed him to as much as 151 months. The discussion centered on Count 1 and Count 7 of Thomas’s federal indictment and what changed after he agreed to cooperate.
The testimony quickly became contentious.
According to Paul’s courtroom reporting, Yella Beezy’s defense attempted to raise the possibility that Thomas had been threatened with a RICO charge. Judge Chika Anyiam instructed both sides to avoid speculation and remain focused on established facts. Paul reported that Anyiam said “Sustained” after prosecutors objected twice to the defense’s questioning on the issue.
Moore then testified that a RICO allegation did not appear in the plea agreement or federal sentencing guidelines she reviewed, according to Paul.
That distinction matters because the defense appears to be building an argument around the benefits Thomas received, while Judge Anyiam is making clear that attorneys cannot attribute additional pressure or threats to prosecutors without evidence supporting those claims.
Moore testified that Thomas pleaded guilty to Count 1, involving drug conspiracy, and entered into a cooperation agreement connected to a separate federal case, according to Paul’s account of the hearing. She also testified that a plea supplement related to Thomas’s cooperation was filed in the Yella Beezy case and that Thomas agreed to testify against Beezy as part of that cooperation.
Moore described Thomas’s agreement to testify as a benefit to him.
Paul further reported that Moore testified about provisions connected to Thomas’s cooperation and completion of a steps program. Most significantly for the defense, Moore testified that Thomas’s gun charge was dismissed.
When Yella Beezy’s attorneys asked about the value of the arrangement, Moore described Thomas receiving dismissal of the gun charge while pleading guilty to drug conspiracy as a “huge benefit.”
That testimony could become important once Thomas takes the stand because jurors may be asked to consider not only what he says about Yella Beezy, but also whether his federal legal circumstances give him an incentive to assist prosecutors.
Thomas has a documented music connection to Beezy. He performs as Jose Bodega and collaborated with Beezy on “Tool On Ya.” The connection places Thomas inside the broader Dallas music circle surrounding figures whose names have surfaced throughout the case.
Moore’s appearance Tuesday was not unexpected. Before Beezy’s September trial date was postponed, Beezy’s defense specifically wanted Moore available for trial because of her experience with the federal court system and her ability to explain benefits cooperating witnesses can receive. That scheduling issue was among the reasons the defense requested additional time.
Cooperating witness Cedric Bradley has also emerged as part of that strategy.
Bradley previously testified during Kewon White’s capital murder trial. During that proceeding, Bradley told jurors about statements he said White made concerning MO3’s killing and an expected payment. Bradley was in federal custody on a drug conspiracy matter when he testified.
Unlike Thomas, Bradley has already testified publicly in the broader MO3 prosecution, though he has not yet testified against Beezy in Beezy’s own trial.
The distinction is important. Tuesday’s hearing did not feature Thomas or Bradley personally testifying against Beezy. Instead, Moore testified about federal agreements, sentencing exposure and the benefits potentially available to cooperating witnesses.
Beezy, whose legal name is Markies Conway, is accused by Dallas County prosecutors of arranging the November 2020 killing of MO3, whose legal name was Melvin Noble. Prosecutors allege Conway paid Kewon White $40,000 to kill Noble. Conway has pleaded not guilty and denied involvement.
White was convicted of capital murder on September 4, 2026, following a closely watched trial in Dallas. He received life in prison without parole. After his conviction, White publicly disputed prosecutors’ allegation that Beezy paid him to kill MO3.
Beezy’s own trial was subsequently postponed. Judge Anyiam granted the continuance and rescheduled jury selection for October 26, giving the defense additional time to prepare and review material from White’s trial.
Tuesday’s hearing offered a preview of what may become one of the central credibility battles when the Yella Beezy trial reaches a jury.
Prosecutors will have the opportunity to present cooperating witnesses they believe can help establish their case. Beezy’s attorneys, meanwhile, appear prepared to examine exactly what those witnesses faced before cooperating, what charges remained on the table, and what benefits followed their agreements.
Thomas has yet to give his expected testimony against Beezy. When he does, the defense has now made clear that the circumstances surrounding his federal plea agreement will be part of the conversation.
