Trial continues for accused gunman in Dallas rapper MO3's killing

Week one included jury selection and three days of testimony from law enforcement, forensic experts, witnesses, and more.

Kewon White murder trial: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3

The first trial for three men accused of plotting to kill Dallas rapper MO3, whose real name was Melvin Noble, in an alleged murder-for-hire scheme continues Monday.

Kewon White is the first of the three men to stand trial. He is charged with murder and is accused of being the gunman who shot and killed Noble in 2020.

A live blog of the trial will be available below once it begins.

Week one included testimony from forensics experts, law enforcement officers, video of Kewon White's arrest in Mount Pleasant, people who provided surveillance video to police, residents of an apartment complex that Noble was at shortly before the shooting, and Noble's former girlfriend, who has children with Devin Brown. Brown is another co-defendant who is accused of helping coordinate the shooting.

The defense has argued that some of the evidence shown at trial does not relate to White.

The prosecution claims a beef between rappers (MO3, TrapBoyFredy, and Yella Beezy) led to the shooting.

Yella Beezy, whose real name is Markies Conway, is accused of orchestrating the killing.

All three men have pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to The Dallas Morning News.

The case has garnered national attention not only because of the high-profile people involved, but also because of a legal fight over whether rap lyrics could be introduced as evidence.

During pretrial hearings, a Dallas police detective testified that songs including "Hitters," "Keep It in the Streets," and "On Your Head" support the state's murder-for-hire theory. The detective also testified about an alleged feud between Conway and Noble. He said the suspected shooter appeared on stage with Conway at a concert before the killing.

Prosecutors argued the lyrics help establish motive and intent, while the defense maintained the songs are artistic expression rather than factual evidence.

A judge ruled that three of the rapper's songs would be allowed as evidence.