In a significant development during the ongoing murder-for-hire trial of Yella Beezy, a key witness has dramatically altered his account of events. Theodore Thomas, a childhood friend and rap associate of the Dallas artist—known professionally as Jose Bodega—took the stand on Monday, Nov. 2, to admit that his previous testimony before a grand jury was fabricated.
The trial, which is currently in its fourth day, centers on allegations surrounding the 2020 murder of rapper Mo3. Thomas, who had previously invoked his Fifth Amendment right to avoid self-incrimination, testified under an immunity agreement. When pressed by both the prosecution and defense regarding his February 2025 grand jury statements, Thomas was blunt about his past dishonesty.
“I told you I lied already, so asking me questions from a paper, it’s like you making me re-lie,” Thomas stated during the proceedings. He specifically recanted claims that Yella Beezy and Trapboy Freddie had paid $40,000 to the gunman, Kewon White, to carry out the hit. When asked directly if those claims were true, Thomas responded, “That was a lie.”
Pressure and Legal Duress
During his testimony, Thomas explained that his initial false statements were the result of intense pressure from federal authorities. He revealed that he had been threatened with RICO and VICAR charges, as well as a potential life sentence, which led him to fabricate details in an attempt to secure entry into the federal STEPS diversion program.
The prosecution challenged this recantation, suggesting that Thomas’s change of heart was motivated by lifelong loyalty to the defendant rather than a desire for the truth. They presented evidence of the pair’s long-standing friendship, including photos of them together in high school and on private jet trips to Miami. Despite these assertions, Thomas maintained that his earlier testimony regarding a feud between the two rappers was also a fabrication.
Context of the Trial
Thomas also provided testimony regarding Kewon White, the individual convicted of murdering Mo3 and currently serving a life sentence. He described White as an unpredictable and aggressive individual who operated outside the structure of the Get Rich Cartel (GRC) crew. Thomas insisted he had no prior knowledge of the fatal shooting that occurred on Nov. 11, 2020.
The presiding judge has instructed the jury that the previous grand jury transcripts should only be used to evaluate Thomas’s credibility as a witness, rather than as direct evidence of guilt. The trial is scheduled to resume on Nov. 3 in Dallas.
