Prosecutor told jurors a gunman fired 40-plus rounds on I-35; defense said evidence won't show Conway agreed to pay for the killing

Openings and the first two witnesses

Judge Anyiam ruled that the court would deny the defense motion to suppress evidence 9:17 AM. Prosecutor Tommy Adams then read the indictment, which alleges Conway caused Melvin Noble's death by employing Kewon White to murder him for money 9:28 AM.

In the state's opening, Adams told jurors that a masked man with an AK-47 style pistol got out of a Camaro on I-35 on Nov. 11, 2020, and fired more than 40 rounds 9:30 AM, and that they would hear about a feud between Noble and Conway dating to 2017 9:32 AM. Defense attorney Toby Shook told jurors the evidence would never show Conway agreed to pay money for Noble's murder 9:36 AM, and said the cash Conway withdrew was in $100 and $50 bills, while the money found on Kewon White included $5, $1 and $10 bills 9:39 AM.

On cross-examination, Nichole Noble agreed it was not unusual for her son to pay for things in cash he earned from performing 10:06 AM.

Motorist Tamatha Hopkins testified she stopped to check on the driver of a black sports car and saw him getting out, pulling a mask down, with a gun in his hand 10:15 AM, then drove away and heard continuous gunfire 10:16 AM. She agreed she was not testifying that she knew who was behind the mask 10:23 AM, and on cross-examination said a detective called her several months later about her 911 call 10:33 AM.

Late morning: a motorist, a fire captain and the medical examiner

Tracey Kappler testified that northbound I-35 traffic came to an abrupt stop and she saw a man with a gun chasing and shooting at another man 10:53 AM. She testified that the man in the purple jumpsuit did not have a firearm 10:57 AM, and that she tried to call 911 and took photos with her phone after the gunshots stopped 11:00 AM. The judge overruled a defense Rule 403 objection and received her photos into evidence 11:02 AM.

Dallas Fire Department Capt. Chris Bloodgood testified that he was on Engine 15 and responded to the call on I-35 on Nov. 11, 2020 11:12 AM. He testified that the man was not breathing and was in asystole when his crew took over care from a private ambulance crew 11:20 AM.

Dr. Jeffrey Barnard testified that he was director and chief medical examiner of the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences from 1991 until 2024 11:30 AM and that he performed the autopsy on Melvin Noble in November 2020 11:37 AM. He described the path of the wound he numbered one 11:53 AM. The judge recessed for lunch during his testimony 12:02 PM.

Medical examiner, surveillance video and Jocylynn Jackson

After lunch, retired chief medical examiner Dr. Jeffrey Barnard finished his testimony. He testified that Melvin Noble died of multiple rifle wounds and that the manner of death was homicide 1:33 PM, and said he could not tell what position Noble was in or which shot came first 1:25 PM. On cross-examination he testified that cash, including 18 $100 bills, came with Noble's body 1:36 PM.

Lizz Matthys-Pyle, who works for a video-surveillance company, testified she gave Dallas police clips from two cameras at an apartment complex 1:41 PM, and agreed with the prosecutor's descriptions of stills from Nov. 10 and 11, 2020 1:44 PM.

Jocylynn Jackson testified that Noble stayed at her apartment on Nov. 10 and left on Nov. 11 1:59 PM. She identified Conway in the courtroom 2:27 PM. On cross-examination, she testified that a prosecutor's interview notes did not accurately reflect what she said about Noble and Conway 2:57 PM.

Jackson's cross-examination and redirect

The defense resumed its cross-examination of Jocylynn Jackson after a break. She testified that reviewing her recorded police interview refreshed her memory about the car Noble drove 3:35 PM.

On redirect, Jackson testified she emailed the district attorney's office because she was tired of coming to court 5:10 PM. Judge Anyiam then told jurors court would resume at 9 a.m. 5:14 PM.