Drama unfolded in a Dallas courtroom on Thursday, October 29, as the murder-for-hire trial of Yella Beezy took a sharp turn. Theodore Thomas, a childhood friend of the rapper—also known by his rap moniker Jose Bodega—took the witness stand only to repeatedly invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, effectively refusing to provide testimony.
Prosecutors had hoped to leverage Thomas’s previous statements made before a grand jury. Those earlier accounts allegedly detailed the inner workings of the Get Rich Cartel (GRC), the rapper’s crew, and shed light on an ongoing feud between Yella Beezy and fellow artist Trapboy Freddy. Furthermore, investigators sought information regarding the movements of the defendant and his associates in California during November 2020, the period surrounding the tragic killing of Mo3.
Despite the line of questioning, Thomas remained steadfast, responding to every inquiry with the phrase, “I’m going to plead the Fifth to that.” When defense attorneys attempted to ask if he intended to recant any of his prior statements, he maintained his silence, citing the same constitutional protection.
Judge Chika Anyiam eventually intervened, excusing Thomas from the stand while warning him that he could be recalled for further questioning. The court ordered him to return on Friday, October 30. This development comes on the heels of the conviction of Kewon White, who was sentenced to life in prison in September for his role in the murder of Mo3, born Melvin Noble.
The trial, which centers on allegations that Yella Beezy orchestrated the ambush of Mo3 on Interstate 35, is expected to continue for approximately two weeks.
