Lil Durk murder-for-hire trial

United States v. Grant
CourtCentral District of California
Full case name United States of America v. Durk Banks, Kavon London Grant, Deandre Dontrell Wilson, Keith Jones, David Brian Lindsey, and Asa Houston
SubmittedOctober 17, 2024
StartedAugust 20, 2026
ChargeConspiracy to commit stalking, stalking resulting in death, conspiring and use of interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death, possess, use, carry, and discharge firearms and machinegun in furtherance of, and during and in relation to, a crime of violence
Court membership
Judge sittingMichael W. Fitzgerald

The Lil Durk murder-for-hire trial is an ongoing federal criminal trial in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The trial involves American rapper Durk "Lil Durk" Banks and five associates from his record label, Only the Family (OTF). The trial stems from an August 2022 shooting death of Saviay'a "Lul Pab" Robinson, cousin of American rapper Tyquian "Quando Rondo" Bowman. Banks was arrested in Broward County, Florida on October 17, 2024, along with five of his associates from OTF. The trial began on August 20, 2026.[1]

Court documents allege that Banks conspired with his OTF associates to murder Bowman, and offered a monetary reward for his murder. They further allege that Banks used funds from himself and OTF-related ventures to finance the conspiracy. They also show that Banks was suspected of being involved with several murders and attempted murders, most notably the January 2022 murder of Stephon Mack, a member of the rival gang Gangster Disciples.

In June 2026, Banks and his associates were charged with violations of the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering Activity (VICAR) statute, specifically murder in aid of racketeering. In the indictment, it alleges OTF was operated as a criminal enterprise, offering rewards of money and music opportunities in exchange for murdering rivals of Banks. Banks' defense successfully filed a motion to sever the charges, moving the VICAR charges to a separate trial.

Background

Banks in 2015.

Durk Banks

Durk Banks, also known by his stage name Lil Durk, is an American rapper based out of Englewood, Chicago. In 2010, he founded the record label Only the Family (OTF).[2] Shortly after, he signed to the record label Def Jam Recordings.[3] Banks was known by the Chicago Police Department as a member of the street gang Black Disciples.[4]

In May 2019, Banks was arrested in connection with a February shooting at The Varsity restaurant in Atlanta.[5] He was charged alongside his friend and fellow rapper Dayvon "King Von" Bennett for criminal intent to commit murder. Banks was seen on video firing at a man, Alexander Witherspoon, during an attempted robbery.[6] Witherspoon was shot, with his vehicle and $30,000 in cash being stolen. He was treated for a gunshot wound to the leg but recovered.[4] In October 2022, all charges were dropped against Banks.[7]

Killing of King Von

On November 6, 2020, Dayvon "King Von" Bennett was shot and killed along with two others outside an Atlanta nightclub. The shooting began after an argument broke out between affiliates of Bennett and fellow rapper Tyquian "Quando Rondo" Bowman. Shortly after the shooting, Timothy "Lul Tim" Leeks was charged with Bennett's death.[8] In 2023, all charges against Leeks were dropped.[9]

American rapper Quando Rondo was targeted in a shooting that killed his cousin, Saviay'a Robinson.

2022 Los Angeles shooting

On August 19, 2022, several gunmen shot and killed Saviay'a "Lul Pab" Robinson,[10] the cousin of Bowman, at the Beverly Center in Los Angeles in a shooting targeting Bowman himself.[11] Bowman's sister was also present at the time of the shooting.[2] At least 18 rounds were fired at Bowman's vehicle.

Banks is alleged to have arranged the murder of Bowman in retaliation for the killing of Bennett.[12] A close friend of Banks' paid for five of Banks' associates to travel from Chicago to California on August 18. Banks sent a text message to his friend, stating “Don’t book no flights under no names involved wit [sic] me.” Also on August 18, Banks and Kavon Grant traveled to California in a private jet. Grant later purchased ski masks and paid for a hotel room for the co-conspirators; the room was purchased with a credit card in Banks' name.[13]

Murder of Stephon Mack

On January 27, 2022, Stephon Mack was murdered outside of the Youth Peace Center in Roseland, Chicago. Two suspects, Anthony Montgomery-Wilson and Preston Powell, were charged shortly after. Prosecutors alleged that both suspects killed Mack in a murder-for-hire plot.[14] Mack was allegedly the leader of a faction of the rival gang Gangster Disciples.[15]

During Banks' bond hearing in December 2024, prosecutors revealed an investigation into Banks alleging that Banks offered a reward in exchange for Mack's death.[16] The plot stems from a June 2021 shooting where Banks' brother, Dontay "DThang" Banks, was shot and killed outside of a nightclub in Chicago. Banks allegedly offered money to kill anyone responsible with his brother's murder, with a warrant alleging that the Gangster Disciples were responsible.[15] Prosecutors also linked one of Durk's songs, Ahhh Ha, to the murder of Mack.[17]

Pre-trial proceedings

Mugshot showing Banks after his arrest in Broward County.

Indictment

On October 17, 2024, five members of OTF were arrested: Kavon Grant, Deandre Wilson, Keith Jones, David Lindsey, and Asa Houston. Search warrants were also executed at various OTF locations.[18] The five were indicted on four charges related to a murder-for-hire conspiracy. Separately, Banks was charged and arrested near the Miami International Airport after law enforcement discovered multiple international flights booked by Banks.[10] Banks was added to a superseding indictment on November 8, 2024.[13] Banks pled not guilty on November 14, 2024, and a trial date was set for January 7, 2025.[19] The trial was delayed until October 2025 after both parties agreed they needed more time to prepare and sift through discovery, which was upwards of 230 gigabytes of digital data and 20,000 pages of documents.[20]

At a bond hearing in December, defense lawyers for Banks offered up a bond "secured by $2.3 million in equity in two homes in Georgia and $1 million in cash." Included in the offer was a security agency to guarantee the terms of a potential bond agreement would be met.[21] The prosecutors cited Banks' music, the indictment against him, and the Stephon Mack murder. They also alleged that Banks continued to offer cash rewards for murders, including a witness in the trial. U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Donahue denied bond for Banks.[21]

In April 2025, lawyers for Banks filed a motion to dismiss the indictment. The motion alleges that the government lied to the grand jury by supplying them with false evidence.[22] They cited claims by the prosecution that Banks profited from lyrics about the murder during a feature in a Babyface Ray song, and used news clips about the shooting in the music video. Banks' lawyers claim that Banks wrote the lyrics seven months before the shooting, and the news clips were used in the music video produced by somebody unrelated to Banks.[23][24] After the second superseding indictment, the judge denied the motion.

Second superseding indictment

On May 1, 2025, the prosecution introduced a second superseding indictment, charging all defendants with one count of stalking resulting in death. The indictment removed the references to Banks' lyrics.[15][25] Following the subsequent arraignment, Banks' attorneys pushed again for bond with a $4.5 million package.[26] The prosecution pointed to Banks' attempts to flee after he booked multiple international flights prior to his arrest near the Miami International Airport. U.S. District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald denied the bond request, stating "no combination of conditions would reasonably assure that the Chicago rapper would show up for future court dates or reasonably assure the safety of any other person and the community."[27]

In June 2025, prosecutors announced that they would not seek the death penalty.[28] In September 2025, the trial was pushed back to January 20, 2026. The prosecution stated they needed more time due to the complexity of the case. All defendants but Banks agreed to the extension.[29] In November 2025, Banks' defense team filed a motion to dismiss the case after the prosecution revealed threats made to U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Donahue and their own prosecution team. The prosecution revealed the threats in an effort to empanel an anonymous jury.[30] The defense argued that Donahue had a conflict of interest when ruling on Banks' May 2025 bail hearing.[31] In January 2026, the motion was denied.[32][33]

Third superseding indictment and severance

In June 2026, two months before the August 20 trial date, prosecutors produced a third superseding indictment, charging Banks and his associates with violations of the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering Activity (VICAR) statute. In the new indictment, prosecutors allege that Banks ran a criminal enterprise called the "Banks Gang Enterprise". They tie the Quando Rondo murder plot to the criminal enterprise, and charged all six with murder in aid of racketeering. They reference the 2019 Atlanta shooting and re-introduced the Stephon Mack murder.[34] Banks' lawyers filed a motion to either sever the charges, which would create a new trial on the introduced charges, or to dismiss the charges under the Speedy Trial Act.[35] Shortly after, three defendants, Lindsey, Wilson, and Houston, filed a motion to sever themselves from the case and hold a separate trial; the latter sought to be separated entirely.[36] On July 14, the judge granted the severance motion, separating the charges and ordering a new trial on the VICAR charges.[37]

During a pre-trial hearing on August 13, the prosecution revealed they had 35 witnesses ready for trial, with 20 of those being key witnesses. The prosecution also alleged that the song "Pissed Me Off", released by Banks in 2021, showed intent to enact revenge on those responsible for Bennett's death.[38] The defense argued that the song was an emotional response to the death of Banks' brother Dontay. The judge allowed the prosecution to use the music video as evidence.[39]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Dallow, Lily (August 20, 2026). "Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk goes on trial in alleged L.A. murder-for-hire plot". Retrieved August 20, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "US rapper Lil Durk arrested in Florida on murder-for-hire charge". www.bbc.com. October 25, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Who Is Lil Durk?". Complex. November 18, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Judge rules case against rappers Lil Durk, Von King can move forward". FOX 10 Phoenix. June 15, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Rapper Lil Durk arrest in connection to shooting at The Varsity". FOX 5 Atlanta. May 31, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  6. ↑ Wilson, Lori (June 14, 2019). "Detective: Video shows Lil Durk shooting gun while driving near The Varsity". WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  7. ↑ Dukes, Joi (October 23, 2022). "Charges dropped against Chicago rapper Lil Durk in 2019 shooting near the Varsity". FOX 5 Atlanta. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  8. ↑ Alcorn, Cody (October 25, 2024). "Murder charge dismissed against suspect in 2020 shooting in Downtown Atlanta that killed rapper King Von". 11Alive. Retrieved July 15, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ↑ Alcorn, Cody (October 25, 2024). "Murder charge dismissed against suspect in 2020 shooting in Downtown Atlanta that killed rapper King Von". Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  10. 1 2 "Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk charged with orchestrating 2022 Los Angeles killing | CNN". CNN. October 25, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Rapper Quando Rondo mourns loss of friend shot to death at gas station near Beverly Center". ABC7 Los Angeles. August 22, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Lil Durk case: Chicago rapper charged in superseding indictment alleging murder-for-hire plot". ABC30 Fresno. November 8, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  13. 1 2 "Chicago Rapper Lil Durk Charged in Superseding Indictment Alleging Murder-for-Hire Plot to Kill Rival Near Beverly Center Mall in 2022". www.justice.gov. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  14. ↑ Heather, Kade (December 4, 2023). "2 men charged in alleged murder-for-hire slaying in Roseland". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  15. 1 2 3 "New indictment adds stalking count against Chicago rapper Lil Durk, drops allegation linking lyrics to slaying". Chicago Tribune. May 2, 2025. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Lil Durk linked to 2022 Chicago murder of Stephon Mack by prosecutors: report". NBC Chicago. December 12, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  17. ↑ Robinson, KiMi. "Lil Durk suspected of funding murder of Stephon Mack, seeks jail release in another case". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Rapper Lil Durk arrested in murder-for-hire plot". ABC News. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  19. ↑ Camarillo, Emmanuel (November 15, 2024). "Lil Durk pleads not guilty to murder-for-hire charges". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  20. ↑ Murray, Conor. "Lil Durk Arrest: Murder-For-Hire Trial Delayed Until October". Forbes. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  21. 1 2 "Prosecutors say rapper Lil Durk may be linked to second killing as judge orders him jailed in L.A. case". Los Angeles Times. December 13, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  22. ↑ Hernandez, Cindy; Schuba, Tom (April 19, 2025). "Lil Durk pushes to have murder-for-hire case dismissed, claiming prosecutors misled grand jury". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  23. ↑ Abraham, Mya (April 21, 2025). "Lil Durk Files To Have Murder-For-Hire Indictment Dismissed". VIBE.com. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Chicago rapper Lil Durk pushes to have murder-for-hire case dismissed, court records show". ABC7 Chicago. April 20, 2025. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Lil Durk Hit With New Charge Of Stalking Resulting In Death". TMZ. May 2, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  26. ↑ Pettersson, Edvard (June 2, 2025). "Rapper Lil Durk seeks pretrial release in murder-for-hire prosecution". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  27. ↑ Pettersson, Edvard (June 9, 2025). "Rapper Lil Durk won't get out on bail in murder-for-hire case". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Prosecutors in Chicago rapper Lil Durk murder-for-hire case will not seek death penalty". ABC7 Chicago. June 4, 2025. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  29. ↑ Turner-Williams, Jaelani (September 20, 2025). "Lil Durk Murder-for-Hire Trial Delayed to January". Complex. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Lil Durk seeks dismissal of federal case as lawyers say threats to judge and prosecutor were withheld from defense". Chicago Tribune. November 14, 2025. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Lil Durk wants murder-for-hire case tossed after death threats to judge, prosecutor go unreported". NBC Chicago. November 14, 2025. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Lil Durk's Court Move Collapses After Death Threat Claim Fails". HOT 97. January 9, 2026. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Judge Rejects Bid to Toss Charges in Lil Durk Federal Case". January 9, 2026. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  34. ↑ Setaro, Shawn (July 13, 2026). "Lil Durk Is Now Fighting Racketeering Charges in His Murder-for-Hire Case. Here's Why". Complex. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Lil Durk Says Federal Prosecutors Blew Up His Case Weeks Before Trial". TMZ. June 30, 2026. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Lil Durk's Co-Defendants Seek to Sever Ties From Rapper In Case". Yahoo Entertainment. June 18, 2026. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  37. ↑ Setaro, Shawn (July 14, 2026). "Lil Durk Wins Motion to Have Racketeering Charges Excluded From Upcoming Trial". Complex. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  38. ↑ Turner-Williams, Jaelani (August 13, 2026). "Prosecutors Call Lil Durk Song "Pissed Me Off" a 'Call to Arms' for Revenging Murder of King Von". Complex. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  39. ↑ Dillon, Nancy (August 13, 2026). "Lil Durk Murder-for-Hire Trial: Judge Rules 'Pissed Me Off' Video Can Be Used as Evidence". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
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