Rapper Lil Durk is desperately trying to get his federal murder-for-hire case dismissed, claiming prosecutors have withheld critical details that could prove his innocence.
The 31-year-old Chicago native, real name Durk Derrick Banks, is accused of masterminding a revenge plot targeting fellow rapper Quando Rondo, allegedly in retaliation for the 2020 killing of Durk’s close friend and frequent collaborator, King Von.
According to AllHipHop, federal prosecutors allege that Durk directed members of his Only The Family (OTF) crew to fly from Chicago to Los Angeles in August 2022 to ambush Quando Rondo. Authorities say he used encrypted messages and promises of money or record deals to motivate the hit.
The shooting, which took place in broad daylight at a Los Angeles gas station, left Quando Rondo unharmed, but his cousin, Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson, was killed. Prosecutors claim Durk helped organize the group’s travel, weapons, and disguises for the attack.
Durk attorneys are insisting that the government’s case is too vague and unfair.
“While the Indictment alleges that the co-conspirators carried out various acts “at the direction of’ Mr. Banks… it fails to give any specifics,” Drew Findling wrote in a court filing. “When, where, how, and to whom did Mr. Banks give these alleged directions? The defense is entitled to know.”
“What the Indictment fails to tell us are the very things the defense is entitled to know — the ‘operative facts’ behind the government’s theory,” Findling added. “There’s no allegation that Mr. Banks was physically involved in the shooting.”
Durk heads to trial in January.