Lil Durk pushes to have murder-for-hire case dismissed, claiming prosecutors misled grand jury

Rap famous person Lil Durk moved Friday to have his murder-for-hire case tossed out, arguing that prosecutors misled a grand jury after they tied the killing to his lyrics.

Attorneys for Lil Durk, actual identify Durk Banks, mentioned the case hinges on a “fundamental factual error” — that Durk recorded a music mocking rival rapper Quando Rondo in regards to the assault in Los Angeles in August 2022.

The truth is, Durk’s attorneys wrote in a court docket submitting, the music had been recorded seven months earlier than masked gunman focused Quando Rondo, or Tyquian Bowman, in an assault that left Rondo’s cousin lifeless.

“Such an error requires dismissal of the indictment” Durk faces in federal court docket in L.A., his attorneys mentioned.

Prosecutors argued in court docket that even when the lyrics have been written seven months earlier than the capturing, the music was modified to incorporate audio from TV information footage of Quando Rondo crying out “No, no!” for his cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, on prime of the unique music.

However Durk’s attorneys declare the model of the music cited in court docket was not genuine.

Durk’s attorneys argued that prosecutors cited variations of the music that have been posted on YouTube, and weren’t related to Durk.

“The issue over the timing of Mr. Banks’ recording of the lyrical verse in question is not one of frivolous or inconsequential value,” his attorneys mentioned, claiming that prosecutors’ “misrepresentation” of the music was very important to their case in opposition to Durk.

Durk’s attorneys additionally requested for the grand jury transcripts to be launched if the fees in opposition to him aren’t dropped outright. They are saying the data are very important to show that prosecutors introduced false proof.

Jonathan Brayman, one among Durk’s attorneys, mentioned he “remains in good spirits.”

“He’s looking forward to his day in court and for truth to prevail,” mentioned Brayman, of the agency Breen and Pugh. “Our team will continue the fight to bring Durk home to his family, where he belongs.”

Durk was initially charged with a murder-for-hire conspiracy on Oct. 24, 2024, — the identical day an indictment was unsealed charging 5 others within the assault that killed Robinson. He was arrested in Florida that very same day as he ready to board a non-public jet to Italy — one among three worldwide flights he had reportedly booked.

Further conspiracy and gun costs have been filed in opposition to him Nov. 7 in a superseding indictment within the U.S. District Courtroom for the Central District of California. He faces as much as life in jail.

Additionally charged are: Kavon “Cuz” or “Vonnie” Grant; Deandre “DeDe” Wilson; Keith “Flacka” Jones; David “Browneyez” Lindsey; and Asa “Boogie” Houston. All 5 have been arrested in Chicago.

In response to federal prosecutors, the defendants realized that Quando Rondo was staying at a Los Angeles lodge on Aug. 18, 2022. An unnamed confederate allegedly used bank cards linked to Solely the Household — Durk’s file label —to ebook flights and lodge lodging, regardless of Durk reportedly warning in opposition to leaving a path.

“Don’t book no flights under no names involved wit me,” Durk allegedly texted the confederate that day.

Prosecutors mentioned Wilson, Jones, Lindsey, Houston and an unnamed co-conspirator flew from Chicago to Los Angeles, whereas Durk and one other defendant, Grant, traveled individually through personal jet to “help coordinate the murder.”

Authorities allege Banks later used coded language to make it clear he supposed to pay a bounty or monetary reward to those that carried out the capturing.

The plot was reportedly in retaliation for the killing of King Von, a rising Chicago rapper and shut affiliate of Durk. King Von, born Dayvon Bennett, was shot and killed outdoors a hookah lounge in Atlanta on Nov. 6, 2020, throughout a confrontation with Rondo and his entourage.