MR. HELLA MEDIA | UPDATES | OCTOBER 27, 2026

Yella Beezy’s Capital Murder Trial Begins as Jury Is Seated in MO3 Killing Case

Dallas rapper Yella Beezy is entering one of the most consequential weeks of his life after a jury was officially seated in his capital murder trial involving the 2020 killing of fellow Dallas rapper MO3.

On Monday, October 26, Dallas County District Judge Chika Anyiam oversaw jury selection in the high-profile case, with 12 jurors and three alternates selected following more than eight hours of questioning. The proceedings mark a significant step forward in a prosecution that has attracted national attention because of the allegations surrounding MO3’s death and the longstanding tensions within Dallas’ hip-hop community.

Yella Beezy, whose legal name is Markies Conway, is accused of arranging a murder-for-hire plot that prosecutors say resulted in MO3 being fatally shot on a Dallas highway in November 2020. Prosecutors allege Conway hired another man, Kewon White, to carry out the killing in exchange for money.

Conway has pleaded not guilty to capital murder and denies orchestrating the shooting.

The case now moves beyond pretrial hearings and legal arguments into the presentation of evidence before a jury. Opening statements are scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, with testimony expected to follow.

Jury Selection Completed After More Than Eight Hours

Monday’s proceedings began with a pool of approximately 75 prospective jurors, who were questioned about their backgrounds, potential biases and familiarity with the case.

Because MO3’s killing received extensive media coverage and generated years of discussion online, selecting jurors who could evaluate the evidence impartially was a major concern for both prosecutors and the defense.

Judge Anyiam directly addressed that issue, asking prospective jurors whether news coverage or social media discussions had influenced their opinions.

Several acknowledged having prior knowledge of the case.

Attorneys spent much of the day examining whether potential jurors could set aside information they had previously encountered and reach a verdict based exclusively on the evidence presented in court.

According to CBS Texas, some prospective jurors were dismissed because of issues involving their criminal histories, while another expressed concerns about whether he could emotionally handle the responsibility of serving.

By Monday afternoon, the court had successfully seated and sworn in the jury, clearing the way for the trial to proceed.

Judge Anyiam has indicated that the proceedings could last approximately two to three weeks.

Prosecutors Accuse Yella Beezy of Hiring a Gunman to Kill MO3

The central allegation against Conway is that he arranged for MO3 to be killed as part of a murder-for-hire scheme.

According to prosecutors, Conway allegedly offered Kewon White approximately $40,000 to carry out the shooting. The state contends that the arrangement was connected to an ongoing dispute involving the Dallas rappers.

White has already been convicted in connection with the killing, but prosecutors must separately establish Conway’s alleged role in planning or financing the attack.

That distinction is central to the upcoming trial.

While a jury has determined that White was criminally responsible for MO3’s death, Conway’s guilt or innocence has not been decided. Prosecutors will have to present evidence establishing his involvement beyond a reasonable doubt.

The defense maintains that Conway did not hire White and is expected to challenge the prosecution’s account of the alleged arrangement.

If convicted of capital murder, Conway faces a life sentence.

MO3 Was Shot and Killed on a Dallas Highway in November 2020

The case dates back to November 11, 2020, when MO3, whose real name was Melvin Noble, was fatally shot along Interstate 35E in Dallas.

The 28-year-old rapper was traveling on the highway when an armed assailant approached his vehicle. MO3 attempted to escape on foot but was chased and shot in broad daylight.

The killing shocked Dallas’ music community and attracted widespread attention because of the location, the circumstances and MO3’s growing popularity.

At the time of his death, MO3 had developed a devoted following through his emotionally charged music, which frequently addressed street violence, personal struggles and life in Dallas.

He was known for songs including “Errybody” and his collaboration with Boosie Badazz, “Outside (Better Days),” which became one of his most recognizable recordings.

His death came during a period when Dallas hip-hop was receiving increased national attention, making the killing a significant loss for the city’s music scene.

Investigators subsequently identified White as the alleged gunman and developed a broader case involving an alleged murder-for-hire conspiracy.

Nearly six years later, the prosecution of Conway represents another major stage in the effort to determine who was responsible for planning the killing.

Convicted Gunman Kewon White Is Serving Life in Prison

Conway’s trial follows the September 2026 conviction of Kewon White, the man prosecutors identified as MO3’s killer.

A Dallas County jury found White guilty of capital murder after prosecutors presented evidence concerning the highway shooting and the alleged financial arrangement behind it.

White was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

His conviction represents an important development in the broader investigation, but it does not automatically establish Conway’s responsibility for the crime.

During White’s trial, prosecutors presented evidence concerning Conway’s alleged involvement in the plot. Some of that material is expected to become relevant again as the state attempts to establish whether Conway arranged the killing.

Attorneys on both sides anticipate calling some of the same witnesses who testified during White’s proceedings.

The prosecution is therefore entering the trial with an existing conviction related to MO3’s death, while the defense faces the challenge of separating the evidence against White from the allegations against Conway.

A third defendant, Devin Brown, also faces a capital murder charge in connection with the alleged plot. His trial is expected to take place after Conway’s case concludes.

Rap Lyrics Could Become a Major Issue During the Trial

One of the more controversial aspects of the prosecution involves whether Yella Beezy’s music can be introduced as evidence.

During pretrial proceedings, prosecutors argued that certain lyrics could help establish motive and intent, particularly in connection with the alleged rivalry between Conway and MO3.

The defense challenged that approach, maintaining that rap lyrics are creative expression and should not automatically be interpreted as descriptions of actual criminal conduct.

The dispute reflects a larger debate within the criminal justice system over the use of hip-hop lyrics in court.

Critics of the practice argue that prosecutors can unfairly treat fictional storytelling, artistic exaggeration and genre conventions as evidence of criminal intent. Prosecutors, meanwhile, sometimes contend that particular lyrics are relevant when connected to independently established facts.

Judge Anyiam ruled that most of Conway’s lyrics could not be used against him, although a limited number of songs were approved for potential introduction during the trial.

The ruling means jurors may hear some of Conway’s music as part of the state’s case, subject to the court’s restrictions.

Whether those recordings become a major factor in the proceedings will depend on how prosecutors present them and how the defense responds.

Trial Was Previously Delayed as Defense Prepared Its Case

Conway’s trial had originally been scheduled to begin in September, but the court granted a postponement after his defense attorneys requested additional preparation time.

One concern involved obtaining transcripts from White’s trial.

Because prosecutors were expected to call several witnesses who had already testified against White, Conway’s attorneys wanted an opportunity to review their previous testimony before questioning them in court.

The defense also raised scheduling concerns involving expert witnesses.

Judge Anyiam granted the continuance, eventually moving jury selection to October 26.

The delay allowed the defense additional time to prepare for a case involving extensive evidence, multiple defendants and testimony connected to an earlier capital murder conviction.

With the jury now seated, those preparations are moving into the courtroom, where both sides will present their competing accounts of what happened and why.

Yella Beezy Faces the Possibility of Life in Prison

The stakes are particularly high for Conway, whose music career gained national recognition through songs such as “That’s On Me” and collaborations with prominent hip-hop artists.

The Dallas rapper built his reputation during the late 2010s and became one of the city’s more recognizable mainstream performers.

His capital murder charge now places his future in the hands of a jury tasked with determining whether the prosecution can prove its allegations.

The state is expected to focus on the alleged financial arrangement, the relationship between the defendants and evidence concerning the events surrounding MO3’s killing.

The defense, meanwhile, will have an opportunity to challenge witness credibility, dispute the prosecution’s interpretation of the evidence and present its own account.

Importantly, Conway remains presumed innocent unless and until a jury finds him guilty.

The fact that White has already been convicted does not relieve prosecutors of their obligation to prove the separate allegations against Conway beyond a reasonable doubt.

Opening Statements Set for October 27

With jury selection completed, the next stage is scheduled to begin Tuesday morning at the Dallas County courthouse.

Opening statements will give prosecutors and defense attorneys their first opportunity to outline their cases directly to the 12 jurors who will ultimately determine the verdict.

FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth has announced plans to livestream the proceedings once testimony begins, allowing the public to follow developments in the courtroom.

The trial is expected to last two to three weeks, although that schedule could change depending on witness testimony and other developments.

For MO3’s family, supporters and the Dallas hip-hop community, the proceedings represent another significant chapter in a case that has remained in the public eye since November 2020.

For Yella Beezy, the outcome could determine whether he spends the rest of his life in prison.

As of the morning of October 27, 2026, the jury has been seated, Conway has pleaded not guilty, and the presentation of the case is scheduled to begin. No verdict has been reached in his trial.