Yella Beezy is scheduled to head to trial Monday in Dallas on a capital murder charge accusing him of paying another man to kill fellow Dallas rapper MO3, but his attorneys are making a last-minute attempt to delay the proceedings.

Jury selection in the closely watched case is scheduled to begin Sept. 14, nearly six years after MO3, whose legal name was Melvin Noble, was chased down and fatally shot on Interstate 35E in Dallas.

Yella Beezy, whose legal name is Markies Conway, has pleaded not guilty.

Before prospective jurors can begin being selected, however, District Judge Chika Anyiam is expected to consider a defense request to postpone the trial.

Conway's attorneys argue they need additional time to prepare following the recently completed trial of Kewon White, the man convicted of killing MO3. They are seeking access to the transcript from White's trial and say an important defense expert will not be available during part of the currently scheduled proceedings.

Whether the judge will grant that request remains unclear.

Kewon White Was Just Convicted

The request comes only days after another Dallas jury convicted White of capital murder in MO3's killing.

White was accused of chasing MO3 on Interstate 35E on Nov. 11, 2020, after the rapper stopped his vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.

Prosecutors said White pursued him and opened fire, killing MO3 and wounding another person.

A jury found White guilty of capital murder following his separate trial.

Now prosecutors are preparing to put Conway before another jury.

Their allegation goes beyond accusing Yella Beezy of participating directly in the highway shooting.

Prosecutors allege Conway paid White $40,000 to kill MO3, making the state's case against the Dallas rapper a murder-for-remuneration prosecution.

Conway denies the allegation and has pleaded not guilty.

White's conviction does not establish that Conway hired him or otherwise participated in MO3's killing. Prosecutors will have to prove their case against Yella Beezy independently when his case reaches a jury.

Defense Wants More Time After White Trial

The timing of White's conviction has become part of the defense's argument for postponing Conway's trial.

His attorneys want the complete transcript from White's proceedings before beginning their own case, particularly because witnesses and evidence from White's trial could overlap with the prosecution of Conway.

The defense says reviewing that testimony is important for preparing cross-examinations and challenging the government's evidence.

Conway's attorneys have also identified scheduling problems involving an expert witness they intend to call.

According to the defense motion, expert Julianna Moore is unavailable during the week of Sept. 21 because of a previously scheduled commitment. Moore has extensive experience with the federal court system and is expected to address issues involving benefits witnesses may receive for cooperating with prosecutors.

With jury selection scheduled to begin Monday, the judge's decision on the continuance could determine whether one of Dallas hip-hop's most closely watched criminal cases begins immediately or is pushed to a later date.

Nearly Six Years After MO3's Killing

MO3's death stunned the Dallas music scene in November 2020.

The 28-year-old rapper was driving on I-35E when he stopped his vehicle and ran onto the highway as an armed man pursued him.

MO3 was fatally shot, while another person was wounded.

The killing triggered a years-long investigation that ultimately expanded beyond the alleged shooter.

Prosecutors now allege Yella Beezy was responsible for arranging the killing and paying White to carry it out.

Conway's defense will have the opportunity to challenge that theory at trial.

For now, the immediate question is whether that trial actually begins Monday.

Judge Anyiam is expected to hear the defense's request for a continuance before jury selection gets underway.

If the request is denied, prospective jurors could begin the process of deciding the case against Yella Beezy.

If it is granted, the trial could be pushed back while his attorneys review the record from White's case and prepare their witnesses.

Either way, Kewon White's conviction has brought the MO3 murder case into a new phase.

The alleged shooter has already faced a jury.

Now prosecutors are preparing to make their case against the man they accuse of paying for the killing.