The murder trial of Kewon White, the man accused of fatally shooting Dallas rapper MO3 in 2020, is set to resume Wednesday in what prosecutors have described as a murder-for-hire conspiracy.
MO3, whose legal name was Melvin Noble, was killed in a high-profile shooting that drew widespread attention across the music industry and beyond. White is the first of three co-defendants to face trial and is charged with being the triggerman in Noble’s death.
The first week of proceedings included testimony from forensic experts, law enforcement officers, and residents of an apartment complex where Noble was seen shortly before the shooting. Surveillance footage and video of White’s arrest in Mount Pleasant, Texas were also presented to the jury.
Noble’s former girlfriend also took the stand. She shares children with co-defendant Devin Brown, who is accused of helping coordinate the killing.
Prosecutors allege the shooting stemmed from an ongoing feud between Noble and rapper Yella Beezy, whose real name is Markies Conway. Conway is accused of orchestrating the murder-for-hire plot. Brown and Conway are both named as co-defendants and have pleaded not guilty along with White.
The prosecution contends that rap rivalries involving MO3, TrapBoyFredy, and Yella Beezy ultimately led to the fatal shooting. Investigators testified that the suspected gunman appeared on stage with Conway at a concert prior to the killing, suggesting a connection between the two.
One of the more contentious legal battles in the case involved whether rap lyrics could be admitted as evidence. A Dallas police detective testified during pretrial hearings that songs including Hitters, Keep It in the Streets, and On Your Head support the state’s theory of motive and intent.
Defense attorneys argued the songs represent artistic expression and should not be treated as factual statements. A judge ultimately ruled that three of the rapper’s songs would be allowed into evidence.
The defense has also challenged the relevance of certain evidence presented at trial, arguing that some items shown to the jury do not directly connect to White.
The case has attracted national attention due to the prominent figures involved and the broader legal debate over the use of rap music as criminal evidence in courtrooms across the country.
