The murder trial of Kewon White, the man accused of fatally shooting Dallas rapper MO3 in 2020, resumed Monday in a Dallas courtroom. White is the first of three defendants to face trial in connection with the killing of Melvin Noble, the rapper known professionally as MO3.
Prosecutors allege the shooting was part of a murder-for-hire scheme rooted in a feud between Noble and fellow Dallas rapper Yella Beezy, whose legal name is Markies Conway. Conway is accused of orchestrating the killing, while a third co-defendant, Devin Brown, is accused of helping coordinate the attack.
All three men have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
During the first week of testimony, jurors heard from forensic experts, law enforcement officers, and residents of an apartment complex where Noble was seen shortly before his death. Noble’s former girlfriend, who shares children with co-defendant Brown, also took the stand.
Surveillance footage and video of White’s arrest in Mount Pleasant were presented to the jury. The defense has challenged portions of the evidence, arguing that some of it does not directly connect White to the crime.
One of the most closely watched legal disputes in the case involves rap lyrics. A judge ruled that three of Noble’s songs could be admitted as evidence after prosecutors argued the lyrics help establish motive and intent.
A Dallas police detective testified during pretrial hearings that songs including Hitters and On Your Head support the state’s theory that the killing was planned. The detective also described an alleged feud between Conway and Noble and noted that the suspected shooter appeared onstage with Conway at a concert before the killing took place.
Defense attorneys pushed back on the use of the lyrics, arguing they represent artistic expression and should not be treated as factual statements. The judge ultimately sided with prosecutors on the matter.
The case has drawn significant national attention due to the prominence of the individuals involved and the broader debate over whether rap lyrics can be used as criminal evidence in court. Legal experts across the country have been watching the proceedings closely as courts continue to grapple with that question.
Noble was shot and killed in November 2020 on Interstate 35E in Dallas in what witnesses described as a brazen daytime attack. He was a rising figure in the Texas rap scene with a growing national following at the time of his death.
