MO3 Assassin Wants New Trial Over Sleeping Juror

The man accused of killing MO3 is fighting to overturn his capital murder conviction with a new legal strategy that puts the spotlight on courtroom procedure rather than the evidence itself.

Kewon White’s defense team recently filed paperwork arguing that jury misconduct during his trial violated his constitutional right to a fair hearing, specifically pointing to one juror’s repeated episodes of unconsciousness throughout the proceedings.

The case stems from the November 2020 death of Dallas rapper MO3 on Interstate 35, an ambush-style shooting that prosecutors characterized as a murder-for-hire operation.

White was convicted in September 2026 and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Now, his attorneys claim a juror couldn’t stay awake during critical testimony and compromised the trial.

According to court documents, the juror in question repeatedly nodded off during afternoon sessions, sometimes for extended periods.

Defense attorney Brie West documented these instances in an affidavit, noting that the juror would slouch in her chair with her head tilted back or drooping forward, clearly missing witness testimony and evidence presentations.

The problem persisted throughout the eight-day trial, with the juror repeatedly cycling between sleep and wakefulness.

What makes this situation particularly significant is that prosecutors also flagged the same concern during the trial.

When both the defense and state raise identical issues about jury conduct, it creates a legal problem that judges can’t easily dismiss.

The trial judge, Chika Anyiam, had opportunities to address the situation but apparently took limited action beyond brief recesses.

In capital murder cases, every piece of testimony carries weight, and missing substantial evidence could theoretically change the outcome.

Texas courts rarely overturn convictions based on juror misconduct, but the circumstances here are unusual because both sides documented the problem.

Judge Anyiam has until mid-December to rule on the motion, giving White’s legal team a potential path forward even if the judge denies their request, since they can appeal the decision.

The case also connects to Yella Beezy, the rapper prosecutors say orchestrated the murder-for-hire plot.

Beezy’s trial is scheduled for October 26, and his legal team requested access to White’s trial transcript because prosecutors discussed Beezy extensively throughout the proceedings.