safety
Detective ties rapper's lyrics to murder-for-hire theory in MO3 murder pretrial hearing
By Juan Carlos Chaoui at NBC DFW
· July 17, 2026
· 1 min read
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
Key takeaway 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.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The murder-for-hire theory in the MO3 case has significant implications for the safety of Fort Worth 's music scene and the broader community. As the trial approaches, residents will be watching to see how the prosecution's use of Yella Beezy's lyrics as evidence plays out. The fact that Detective Barnes pointed to specific songs and interviews to support the theory raises questions about the role of art in criminal investigations. In a city like Fort Worth, where the Cultural District and Sundance Square often host live music events, the idea that lyrics can be used as evidence in a murder trial may have a chilling effect on local artists. Additionally, the history of conflict between Yella Beezy and MO3, including a concert where police intervened, highlights the need for increased safety measures at public events in the city. As the trial date nears, Fort Worth will be paying close attention to the outcome and its potential impact on the community.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC DFW . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC DFW . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: NBC DFW ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? 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
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by NBC DFW and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Juan Carlos Chaoui at NBC DFW. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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