Yella Beezy’s Marketing Chief Takes the Stand — Defends “Strategize” Texts After Mo3’s Killing

The murder-for-hire trial of Yella Beezy entered its third week on Monday, and the defense finally got its turn. After prosecutors rested their case, Beezy’s lawyers called their first witness — and she came ready to explain the text messages that have become a flashpoint in the courtroom.

Lynn M. Scott, a veteran marketing executive who worked closely with Beezy at L.A. Reid’s Hitco Entertainment in 2020, took the stand in Dallas and walked the jury through the label’s plans for the rapper in November of 2020. She told defense attorney Johnny Gussio she had been building out Beezy’s marketing plans and needed him in California for meetings — a typical three-day promotional run, beginning November 10, with Hitco covering the travel. Everything changed, she said, after rival rapper Mo3 was shot and killed on Interstate 35 in Dallas on November 11.

According to Scott’s testimony, label higher-ups then advised Beezy to stay on the West Coast — to finish additional promotional shoots, and for his own safety. Beezy made one brief trip back to Dallas on November 20 to visit his mother, then flew back to Los Angeles, where he stayed with his girlfriend and children, even spending Thanksgiving at Scott’s home. She added that Hitco was in total control of song release schedules, including tracks that detailed Beezy’s feud with his rap rivals, like “Keep It in the Streets,” which she said was recorded well before its official release.

The sharpest moment came under cross-examination. Prosecutor Tommy Adams pressed Scott on a text message she sent Beezy and other team members after news broke that Mo3 had been shot — a message saying they needed to “strategize” and “craft a response” to what had happened in Dallas that day. Scott didn’t back down from the words.

“I’m a marketer,” she told the courtroom. “I thought he should be prepared.”

Before the state rested, the defense kept challenging the prosecution’s core claim — that Beezy promised a substantial payout to Kewon White and others if they killed Mo3. Lead Dallas Police Department Detective Eric Barnes was brought back to the witness stand for further questioning over the alleged payment. Prosecutors claim White was paid $40,000 by both Beezy, born Markies Conway, and Trapboy Freddy to kill Mo3, born Melvin Noble. Trapboy Freddy has not been charged in connection with the case. White himself was convicted of murdering Mo3 and sentenced to life in prison in September.

Beezy has pleaded not guilty to capital murder. His trial resumes Tuesday morning, with the defense now presenting its case — and after three weeks of the prosecution’s version of events, the courtroom is finally hearing his side.

What do you think of the defense’s opening moves — is Scott’s explanation enough to reframe those texts? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and hit us with your requests anytime at 302-357-9831.

Source: XXL