First Trial Begins In Alleged Yella Beezy-MO3 Murder Plot

Jurors are now hearing the state’s case in the alleged murder-for-hire plot behind MO3’s 2020 killing. Opening statements began Wednesday in Dallas for Kewon White, the man prosecutors accuse of chasing the rapper down Interstate 35 and fatally shooting him. White is the first of three defendants to go before a jury in the case, which also includes Yella Beezy and Devin Brown.

NBC DFW reported that prosecutors wasted little time laying out their theory. Dallas County prosecutor Tommy Adams described White as a hired gun who tracked down MO3, whose legal name was Melvin Noble, at the direction of Yella Beezy, born Markies Conway. “There was a hitman on the highway, and that hitman was Kewon White,” Adams told jurors. Defense attorney Myra McIntosh challenged the strength of that theory, arguing that prosecutors are asking the jury to bridge holes in the evidence with inference. White has pleaded not guilty.

Testimony began with witnesses who were on the highway when the shooting unfolded. Tamatha Hopkins told jurors she was driving behind MO3 when a black vehicle pulled near his car. She initially believed he had blown a tire, but said a man later emerged, armed and wearing a ski mask. Jurors were also shown video captured by a semi-truck that prosecutors say depicts MO3 running as an armed man pursues him.

Other witnesses addressed what happened immediately after the shooting. Dr. Randall Graham, who encountered the scene while driving, testified that he saw an armed man chasing another man before stopping to help MO3. Graham said he performed CPR after finding him badly wounded. Retired Dallas County medical examiner Jeffrey Barnard also testified about MO3’s autopsy, telling jurors that the rapper suffered 13 rifle wounds.

White’s trial is the first opportunity for prosecutors to present their broader theory of the killing to a jury. Authorities accuse Yella Beezy of arranging MO3’s death and allege Brown helped coordinate the attack. All three men have pleaded not guilty. The case has already generated extensive pretrial debates over evidence, including the state’s effort to introduce several Yella Beezy songs as evidence of motive and intent. A judge ultimately allowed three songs to be used at trial.

Judge Chika Anyiam has indicated White’s trial is expected to last roughly two weeks. Testimony remained underway Wednesday (August 26) afternoon as prosecutors continued calling witnesses in their case against him.