The long-awaited murder trial over the 2020 highway killing of Dallas rapper MO3 has been put on ice, after both sides told a judge they are still wading through piles of evidence. The trial had been set to kick off on Feb. 2, but on Thursday, the court pressed pause without setting a new date.
During the hearing, prosecutors identified Kewon White as the alleged gunman who ambushed Melvin "MO3" Noble on Interstate 35 in 2020 and said investigators believe he was paid to carry out the killing. According to FOX 4, the court was told that White’s distinctive tattoos and alleged gang ties could factor into the case, and the judge signed off on pretrial photographs of White so prosecutors can use them for identification if that becomes an issue at trial.
The allegation that a fellow Dallas rapper, Markies Conway, better known as Yella Beezy, bankrolled the hit traces back to indictments filed earlier this year, when a grand jury charged Conway with capital murder while on remuneration. The timeline and scheduling for the related cases were set last year, with The Dallas Morning News reporting the Feb. 2, 2026 start date, and the Associated Press outlining the March indictment and earlier charges tied to the 2020 highway shooting.
Court Dispute Over Gang Evidence
White’s attorney asked the judge to hold a hearing outside the presence of the jury before any alleged gang evidence comes in, arguing that jurors could be unfairly swayed if those accusations are aired in open court without vetting. Prosecutors told the judge they had not dragged their feet on turning over discovery, and both sides agreed to come back next week to try to lock in a new trial date. FOX 4 also reported that Conway is due in court for a separate hearing on Friday, Jan. 16.
Legal Stakes
If jurors conclude the killing was carried out for payment, a capital murder conviction in Texas triggers the state’s harshest penalties, including life in prison without the possibility of parole, The Dallas Morning News notes. A key pretrial battle will center on whether prosecutors can connect any alleged payments, as well as phone records or surveillance footage, directly to Conway and the accused shooters.
What’s Next
For now, both the prosecution and defense are using the delay to keep reviewing video, digital data and police files before they return to court to hammer out a firm schedule. Until then, one of Dallas’ most closely watched murder cases remains in limbo while lawyers tangle over discovery and what evidence the jury will be allowed to see.
