Dallas attorneys for Kewon White, the man convicted of the 2020 murder of Dallas rapper MO3, have filed a formal motion asking the court to set aside his life sentence. The request, filed in the Texas Criminal District Court, claims that a juror was asleep for extended periods throughout the trial, violating White’s constitutional right to a fair trial by a full, attentive jury.
Motion alleges repeated juror inattentiveness
The motion, submitted to Judge Chika Anyiam, states that the juror was observed “slouching, leaning back, and dropping her head forward” on multiple occasions, effectively missing testimony and evidence. Defense attorney Bree West described the behavior as “open and obvious,” noting that the juror was not watching witnesses, attorneys, or exhibits.
Co‑counsel Myra McIntosh added that while brief dozing can occur after lunch, the court in prior cases typically intervenes with a short break, a stretch, or a coffee. In White’s trial, however, the juror allegedly fell asleep for “several minutes” repeatedly over the course of several hours, missing material evidence from key witnesses.
Judge’s prior handling of the issue
Both the prosecution and defense raised the juror’s condition with Judge Anyiam during the trial. According to the motion, the judge either took no action or only provided a brief recess. The juror reportedly resumed sleeping after the short break, prompting the defense to argue that the court’s response was insufficient to safeguard the integrity of the proceedings.
Legal basis for the request
The defense contends that the presence of a sleeping juror violates both statutory provisions and the Texas state constitution, which guarantee a trial by a jury of twelve attentive members. The motion seeks a new trial, separate from the appeal that was filed at the end of September.
Judge Anyiam has 75 days to rule on the motion. She may grant a new trial, deny the request, schedule a hearing to review the evidence, or allow the deadline to lapse without a decision.
Background on the MO3 murder case
Melvin “MO3” Nobles was shot eleven times on Interstate 35 in 2020. Prosecutors allege the killing was part of a murder‑for‑hire scheme orchestrated by fellow rapper Yella Beezy (Markies Conway). In September, a Dallas jury found White guilty of capital murder and sentenced him to life in prison after reviewing video evidence and witness testimony. The prosecution also presented evidence of a payment from Conway to White.
Conway has pleaded not guilty to capital murder and denies involvement. His own trial was delayed to allow his lawyers to obtain White’s trial transcript and is now scheduled to begin on Oct. 26. A third defendant, Devin Brown, also faces capital‑murder charges.
Implications for the community
The motion underscores the importance of vigilant juror conduct in high‑stakes criminal cases and highlights the defense’s commitment to ensuring that constitutional protections are upheld. If granted, a new trial would extend the legal process and keep the case in the public eye, reminding Dallas residents of the need for transparent and fair judicial proceedings.
Local observers note that the outcome could set a precedent for how courts address juror misconduct in future capital‑case trials, reinforcing the principle that every defendant deserves a trial conducted by a fully attentive jury.
Original reporting: Dallas – Ft. Worth Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
