Dallas murder-for-hire trial begins in I-35 shooting of rapper MO3

DALLAS - Jury selection began on Monday for the high-profile Dallas murder case involving a deadly feud between rival rappers. [Fox 7 Austin]

Jury selection advanced Monday in the capital murder trial of Kewon White, who prosecutors say executed recording artist Melvin Noble on Interstate 35 in 2020 as part of an alleged murder-for-hire scheme. White is one of three defendants charged in the high-profile case that has gripped Dallas' hip-hop community since the deadly shooting nearly four years ago.

Prosecutors contend the killing stemmed from a prolonged rivalry between Noble, who performed under the name MO3, and fellow rapper Markies Conway, known professionally as Yella Beezy. According to court documents, Conway allegedly orchestrated the murder and recruited White to carry out the shooting. Conway, who has entered a not guilty plea to capital murder, continues to deny any involvement in the case. White, currently incarcerated on an unrelated firearms conviction, now faces capital murder charges for Noble's death. A third defendant, Devin Brown, has also been charged with capital murder after prosecutors said he accompanied White during the shooting and appeared in surveillance footage approaching Noble while disguised with a ski mask.

Jury selection began with a pool of 77 candidates, with attorneys working to seat 12 jurors and alternates. Early Monday, Judge Chika Anyiam removed a group of content creators from the courtroom after they allegedly recorded potential jurors and engaged in harassing behavior, according to court observers.

A critical point of contention before trial centers on the admissibility of Conway's rap music as evidence. A judge previously ruled that certain songs containing lyrics about his feud with Noble could be presented to jurors. However, prosecutors encountered a significant setback when the same judge refused to permit a Dallas police detective experienced in analyzing music from local rappers to testify as an expert witness. Prosecutors maintain that specific lyrics in Conway's catalog constituted threats against Noble's life, while defense attorneys argue that rap music represents artistic expression rather than factual admissions or threats.

Testimony and opening statements were expected to commence Tuesday or Wednesday, with media outlets planning to stream proceedings live. While White's trial moves forward first, judges indicated that Conway and Brown's legal representatives should remain prepared to begin trial Monday if circumstances warrant accelerated proceedings.