Rapper Yella Beezy sentenced to life in prison for ordering murder of rival MO3

The American rapper Yella Beezy, 35, was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole, after a jury in Dallas County, Texas, found him guilty of capital murder for hiring a hitman to kill fellow rapper MO3.

As reported by The Associated Press (AP), the jury reached a unanimous verdict against the artist—whose real name is Markies Conway—for his involvement in the murder of Melvin Noble, known by his stage name MO3, which occurred on November 11, 2020.

According to the District Attorney's Office, Conway paid Kewon White $40,000 to carry out the crime, allegedly motivated by a long-standing rivalry between the two musicians.

MO3, 28, was killed in broad daylight while driving on Interstate 35 in Dallas. The assailant, whose face was covered, chased the victim and fired more than 40 shots with an AK-47-style weapon. A bystander was also wounded but survived the attack.

White, identified as the perpetrator of the murder, had already been found guilty in September and similarly sentenced to life in prison, according to FOX 4 Dallas.

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During the trial, Yella Beezy's attorneys rejected the charges and argued that the prosecution had built its case on speculation and contradictory testimony.

However, after more than two weeks of trial, the jury found him guilty of the murder.

Defense attorney Toby Shook expressed his disagreement with the verdict and said they would appeal the sentence, according to NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth.

Conway, known for songs such as "That's On Me," had maintained his innocence since he was formally charged. The sentence means that he will spend the rest of his life in prison, unless the sentence is overturned on appeal.

A third defendant, Devin Brown, also faces charges in connection with the murder and is awaiting trial.