A Dallas jury on Friday convicted 27-year-old Kewon White of capital murder in the November 2020 killing of Dallas rapper Melvin "MO3" Noble, concluding an eight-day trial with approximately three hours of jury deliberations. State District Judge Chika Anyiam later sentenced White to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Prosecutors portray slaying as planned, tied to rapper feud
Prosecutors told jurors the shooting was a murder-for-hire carried out amid a widely publicized dispute between MO3 and fellow Dallas rapper Yella Beezy (real name Markies Conway). During the trial, the state introduced social media posts and song lyrics from both artists to argue that the confrontation escalated to violence.
Assistant prosecutors referenced lyrics from multiple tracks, including "Hitters," "Keep It In The Streets" and "On Your Head," saying the material supported their claim that White acted at the direction of another person in exchange for payment.
"It was planned, premeditated, and based on the evidence that we had from the highway and the hospital, the shooter was intent on killing him," Dallas police Detective Eric Barnes testified.
Surveillance, physical evidence and witness testimony
Prosecutors showed jurors surveillance footage capturing the moments leading up to the shooting on Interstate 35 on Nov. 11, 2020. Video presented in court depicts Noble stepping out of a gold Honda before a masked gunman pursued him on the freeway. Noble was struck multiple times and later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Investigators recovered 44 cartridge casings at the scene. Testimony included an account from White's cousin, who said White admitted firing at Noble and that at least one shot hit the victim in the buttocks. During a recorded interrogation, a detective suggested a payment of $50,000 as the motive for the killing, testimony indicated.
| Key evidence | Detail |
|---|---|
| Surveillance footage | Shows victim exiting vehicle and pursuit on I-35 |
| Ballistics | 44 casings recovered at the scene |
| Gunshot wounds | Victim was struck 13 times, according to prosecutors |
Broader legal context and next steps
White is the first of three men charged in connection with the fatal shooting to be tried. Authorities have said others were involved in the planning and execution of the killing; the prosecution accused Yella Beezy of orchestrating the plot, an allegation raised at trial. The remaining defendants are scheduled to face trial in separate proceedings.
FBI Special Agent Taylor Page was among the final witnesses called during the trial, and both the prosecution and defense rested before the jury considered the case. The conviction and harsh sentence underscore the gravity with which the Dallas criminal-justice system treated the highway killing and its public ramifications.
For many in Dallas, the case has been closely watched not only for its connection to local music scenes and social-media attention but also for the violence that played out on a public roadway. The verdict may shape how prosecutors handle other alleged organized or contracted killings in the city.
- Defendant: Kewon White, 27 — convicted of capital murder, life without parole
- Victim: Melvin "MO3" Noble — killed Nov. 11, 2020 on I-35
- Alleged motive: Prosecutors say murder-for-hire tied to rapper dispute
The case remains a prominent entry in Dallas's recent criminal docket. Officials have not announced additional details about the timing of trials for the other two defendants, and appeals in the current conviction could follow under state law.
