Most rap lyrics by Yella Beezy cannot be used as evidence against him in his murder-for-hire trial, a Dallas judge ruled Monday.
The use of rap lyrics in criminal prosecutions has become a controversial topic, as First Amendment advocates argue they aren't meant to be taken literally and are a legitimate expression of free speech.
Yella Beezy, whose real name is Markies Conway, is accused of paying a man to kill rapper MO3, who was gunned down on Interstate-35 in Dallas in 2020.
Eric Barnes, a Dallas Police Department investigator and "rap music expert," testified in a hearing last week that lyrics and social media posts were relied on as evidence because many witnesses refused to talk.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Dylan Duke is KERA's breaking news reporter. Got a tip? Email Dylan at dduke@kera.org.
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