Topline
After multiple delays, Chicago rapper Lil Durk will finally stand trial on federal murder-for-hire charges beginning Thursday as jury selection will take place, though the rapper has denied prosecutors’ allegations he and co-conspirators orchestrated an attempted murder of a rapper in 2022 in which gunfire killed the intended target’s cousin.
Lil Durk’s murder-for-hire trial begins Thursday. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
Getty Images for iHeartRadio
Key Facts
Lil Durk, the 33-year-old rapper whose real name is Durk Banks, was first arrested in October 2024, with authorities alleging he placed a bounty on, and ordered the murder of, rival rapper Quando Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Bowman.
At the time of his arrest, prosecutors alleged Banks orchestrated an August 2022 attempted murder in which his alleged associates stalked Bowman and shot at his car, killing Bowman’s cousin Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson while Bowman survived the incident.
Banks has pleaded not guilty to his charges and denies the prosecutors’ allegations.
The trial, which is expected to last several weeks, begins Thursday with jury selection and opening arguments beginning as early as the following day.
What Do We Know About Lil Durk’s Charges?
In November 2024, a grand jury charged Banks and his co-defendants with one count of conspiracy; one count of use of interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death; and one count of using, carrying, and discharging firearms and a machine gun and possession of such firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death, all of which stem from the alleged 2022 incident in which Robinson was shot and killed. In the indictment, prosecutors alleged Banks would “place bounties on individuals that he and other Banks Gang Enterprise members wanted to kill,” including the attempted murder of Bowman. In the indictment, prosecutors cite text communications, flight records, credit card receipts and security camera footage to argue Banks and his associates traveled to Los Angeles with the intent of killing Bowman. Prosecutors later filed a superseding indictment in May 2025 that added a new count of stalking, but removed references to Durk’s lyrics as evidence. Another superseding indictment, filed in June, added a new count of murder in aid of racketeering and included allegations linking Banks to the killing of a gang rival in January 2022 and an attempted murder in February 2019. Banks scored a legal victory the following month as a judge agreed to sever the new charges and allegations into a separate trial after his lawyers filed a motion saying they were blindsided by “sweeping new charges” shortly before his trial began.
What Consequences Could Lil Durk Face?
Prosecutors have ruled out seeking the death penalty, according to court filings made last year. But if he is convicted, Banks could face a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison, the court previously said. Banks has been denied bail multiple times and has remained in federal custody since his arrest.
What Are Prosecutors Arguing?
According to documents filed in federal court, prosecutors have accused Banks and his alleged co-conspirators of conspiring to kill Bowman in retaliation for a 2020 incident in which Banks’ friend, rapper Dayvon “King Von” Bennett, was shot and killed, an incident prosecutors say Banks has blamed on Bowman. Timothy “Lul Tim” Leeks, an affiliate of Bowman’s, was charged with killing Bennett, though charges were dropped three years later. Prosecutors accused Banks and his co-conspirators of stalking Bowman for hours before shooting at his vehicle at least 18 times at a gas station near Los Angeles’ Beverly Center mall. Banks told his co-conspirators in a text message, “Don’t book no flights under no names involved wit me,” according to prosecutors. Prosecutors have also accused Banks of attempting to flee the United States prior to his arrest, noting he had three international flights booked but did not board any of them as law enforcement arrested him near Miami International Airport.
What Evidence Will Prosecutors Introduce During The Trial?
Prosecutors plan to introduce some of Banks’ rap lyrics as evidence during the trial. Last week, a judge ruled the lyrics and music video to Banks’ song “Pissed Me Off” can be used as evidence, despite Banks’ lawyers objecting. Prosecutors say the lyrics show Banks resolving to “avenge” the death of Bennett, as Banks raps, “Grab a gun if you ain’t with it, put up money for a gun. Put up money for a hot car, put up money for a bond. I don’t see you on the regular, but I see you screamin’, ‘Von.” Banks’ attorneys argued the song is about Banks’ slain older brother, who is named in the lyrics. The judge previously barred prosecutors from introducing certain songs as evidence, ruling lyrics “attempting to show Mr. Banks’ willingness to flee will be excluded from the trial” because they are “just sheer propensity.” Prosecutors have indicated they have dozens of witnesses slated to potentially testify, though a document filed in court listing witnesses remains sealed. It’s unclear who will take the witness stand once the trial begins.
who is lil durk?
Banks is a Chicago-based rapper who has released dozens of mixtapes and albums since the early 2010s, for which he has won one Grammy Award. He released his debut album, “Remember My Name,” in 2015, and his most recent release, 2025’s “Deep Thoughts,” was released while Banks was held in federal custody. Banks won a Grammy in 2024 for his collaboration with J. Cole, “All My Life.” He previously earned three additional Grammy nominations, including two nods for his Drake collaboration “Laugh Now Cry Later.” Banks is the founder of record label and music collective Only the Family, which represents Chicago rappers and was the home of King Von before his killing.
further reading
Lil Durk Murder-for-Hire Trial: Judge Rules ‘Pissed Me Off’ Video Can Be Used as Evidence (Rolling Stone)
Lil Durk Is Going to Trial on Murder-for-Hire Charges. Here’s What to Know About the Case (Billboard)
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