Lil Durk’s federal murder-for-hire trial is underway in Los Angeles, with prosecutors alleging the Chicago rapper used his own American Express card to help finance a deadly 2022 attack targeting rival rapper Quando Rondo.
Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks, faces federal charges connected to the shooting at a Los Angeles gas station. Quando Rondo survived the attack, but his cousin, Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson, was fatally wounded.
Prosecutors allege the shooting was carried out as retaliation for the 2020 killing of King Von, a close friend and collaborator of Banks.
During opening statements Monday, the government allegedly told jurors that airline tickets for people accused of carrying out the shooting were purchased using Banks’ American Express card.
The prosecution also pointed to Banks’ spending during the period, highlighting thousands of dollars in purchases at luxury retailers including Amiri and Neiman Marcus. Prosecutors are using the spending as part of their broader presentation of Banks’ lifestyle around the time of the alleged crime.
Another major dispute involves Banks’ arrest in Miami.
Prosecutors told jurors that the rapper was attempting to leave the United States when authorities arrested him. His defense team disputes that characterization, arguing that Banks was in Florida for work and had traveled to Miami to collaborate on music with DJ Khaled.
That disagreement could become an important part of the government’s case as prosecutors attempt to establish what Banks was allegedly doing in the days surrounding his arrest.
The trial is also expected to feature testimony from cooperating witnesses. Prosecutors have identified OTF Jam, OTF Vonni and Flacka as former associates who have agreed to testify against Banks.
The defense has already begun challenging the credibility of those witnesses. According to the supplied material, attorneys are particularly seeking to shift responsibility toward OTF Vonni, citing statements he previously made to authorities.
Banks remains in federal custody as the case moves forward. If convicted on the murder-for-hire charges, he could face life in prison.
Further testimony is expected as the prosecution lays out its allegations about the planning and execution of the 2022 shooting.
For Lil Durk, the trial now turns on a central question for the jury: whether the government’s evidence proves he orchestrated and financed the attack — or whether the defense can undermine the witnesses and circumstances prosecutors are relying on.
