Defense Attorneys Filed for New Kewon White Trial
The motion follows a conviction for the 2020 murder of rapper Melvin Nobles.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Financial Crime
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Defense attorneys have requested a new trial for Kewon White, who was convicted of capital murder in September 2026. The filing alleges that a juror fell asleep during the proceedings, potentially causing them to miss critical testimony.
Why it matters
The defense contends that the sleeping juror prevented White from receiving a fair trial before a full jury of twelve as required by the state constitution. If the motion is granted, it could overturn the life sentence previously handed down in the case.
Judge Chika Anyiam has a 75-day window to issue a formal ruling on the motion for a new trial. Kewon White was previously sentenced to life in prison following his September 2026 capital murder conviction.
The players
Kewon White
He is the defendant who was convicted of capital murder in the 2020 death of Melvin Nobles.
Melvin Nobles
He was a rapper also known as MO3 who was killed on Interstate 35 in 2020.
Chika Anyiam
She is the judge presiding over the Texas Criminal District Court proceedings.
Markies Conway
He is a defendant awaiting his own trial for capital murder charges related to the same case.
The details
The motion includes claims that the juror frequently slumped over and appeared to be sleeping while witnesses provided material evidence. The judge had been alerted to the situation multiple times during the trial and had previously granted short breaks to the jury.
Timeline
The victim, Melvin Nobles, was killed in 2020.
Kewon White was convicted of capital murder in September 2026.
The defense filed an appeal at the end of September 2026.
The trial for Markies Conway is scheduled to start on Oct. 26, 2026.
Legal Context
This filing follows established precedents regarding the constitutional mandate of the Texas state constitutional requirement for a jury of twelve. The defense argues that the proceedings failed to meet these rigorous standards, marking a departure from a standard trial outcome.
The high-profile nature of this capital murder case has drawn significant attention to the operations of the Texas Criminal District Court. Residents and local stakeholders are now focused on whether the court will uphold the conviction or mandate a costly retrial.
The takeaway
Jury misconduct allegations remain a serious path for defense teams to challenge the validity of high-stakes criminal convictions. Ensuring the active participation of all jurors is essential for maintaining the constitutional integrity of the judicial process.
What happens next
Judge Chika Anyiam must issue a ruling on the motion within 75 days of the filing, and the separate capital murder trial for Markies Conway is set to commence on Oct. 26, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the region, visit Financial Crime.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth.
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