A Texas judge has officially ruled that certain rap lyrics may be introduced as evidence in the upcoming murder-for-hire trial of Yella Beezy, who stands accused in the 2020 killing of rapper Mo3. On Monday, July 27, Judge Chika Anyiam delivered the decision following extensive legal arguments from both the prosecution and the defense.
The court will allow the prosecution to present specific tracks during the trial, including Mo3‘s “2 Nineteen,” which references the shooting of Roylee Pate, as well as Yella Beezy‘s own songs, “Keep It in the Streets” and portions of “On Ya Head.” In addition to these lyrics, the judge has authorized the introduction of relevant social media posts, a 2019 VladTV interview, and evidence concerning the 2017 assault of Roylee Pate and the 2018 shooting that wounded Yella Beezy.
Legal Strategy and Defense Arguments
The defense team for Yella Beezy had vehemently argued against the inclusion of song lyrics, citing concerns over the potential for jurors to misinterpret artistic expression as literal confession. To support their position, the defense called upon Dr. Erik Nielson, a professor at the University of Richmond and an expert on the use of rap lyrics in criminal proceedings.
“People found rap lyrics to be far more literal than the exact same lyrics characterized as country,” Dr. Nielson testified. “If they’re saying, ‘I did this or I did that’ … it can sound like a straight confession. It’s a perfect way to send people to jail for something they did not do.”
Despite these objections, prosecutors maintained that their case is built on a broader foundation of evidence, including witness statements, physical evidence, wiretaps, and digital footprints. Yella Beezy, who has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder charge, allegedly paid Kewon White to carry out the killing of Mo3 amid a long-standing feud between the two artists.
Trial Timeline
The court has determined that the trial for the accused gunman, Kewon White, will proceed first, with proceedings scheduled to begin on August 24. Yella Beezy‘s trial is slated to follow shortly thereafter. As the legal process continues, the case remains a significant focal point in the ongoing national debate regarding the admissibility of rap lyrics in criminal courtrooms.