Detective ties rapper's lyrics to murder-for-hire theory in MO3 murder pretrial hearing

Several songs by Dallas rapper Yella Beezy support the state's theory that the death of rapper MO3 was a murder-for-hire plot, that's according to a detective who testified Friday during a pretrial hearing.

Detective Eric Barnes pointed to lyrics in the songs "Hitters," "Keep It in the Streets," and "On Your Head," testifying that they referenced paying for violence and putting money on someone's head.

Yella Beezy, whose legal name is Markies DeAndre Conway, is charged with capital murder while remuneration in connection to the 2020 murder of MO3, whose legal name is Melvin Abdul Noble Jr.

Barnes also testified that the alleged shooter, Kewon White, appeared on stage with Conway at a concert shortly before Noble's murder, which Barnes said showed White was trusted by Conway.

Barnes also testified that Conway's comments during a DJ Vlad interview about needing to "get my lick back" showed a motive.

Barnes also testified about a history of conflict between Conway and Noble, including a concert at which police intervened out of concern for public safety.

The next pretrial hearing is set for July 24. The trial is one month later, on Aug. 24.