A juror accused of repeatedly nodding off could put the murder conviction of Dallas rapper MO3’s killer back before a court.
Kewon White’s attorneys are seeking a new trial after alleging that a woman on the jury slept through significant portions of his September capital murder proceedings.
White received a life sentence for the 2020 shooting death of MO3, whose real name was Melvin Nobles. The rapper was fatally shot 11 times on Interstate 35 in Dallas.
“Defendant is entitled to a new trial because he was tried by a jury that including a sleeping juror,” the motion states.
Defense attorney Bree West recalled watching the woman repeatedly slump in her chair, sometimes with her head falling forward.
Co-counsel Myra McIntosh described hours of intermittent sleeping that allegedly caused the juror to miss important evidence, and attorneys on both sides raised concerns with Judge Chika Anyiam, according to the filing, but the issue allegedly continued despite courtroom breaks.
White’s conviction stems from a shooting prosecutors allege was orchestrated by fellow rapper Yella Beezy, whose real name is Markies Conway. Beezy has pleaded not guilty and denied involvement.
The judge has 75 days to rule on White’s request, which is separate from his appeal.