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Lil Durk’s trial in the federal murder-for-hire case has been moved to October 14, 2025, after prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed they needed more time to review a large amount of evidence. He was first scheduled to go to trial on January 7, 2025, but the court found that preparing for a trial with over 230 gigabytes of digital files and about 20,000 pages of reports and records would be impractical.
Before that October date, he will appear on May 8, 2025 for a bond hearing to determine if he can be released while awaiting trial.
Lil Durk was arrested in Florida and pleaded not guilty on October 24, 2024
Lil Durk (real name Durk Derrick Banks) was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Broward County, Florida, on October 24, 2024, after a grand jury returned a superseding indictment. He faces charges including conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, use of interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death, and using and discharging firearms in furtherance of a crime.
Prosecutors allege he offered money and “lucrative music opportunities” to associates to kill rapper Quando Rondo over a 2022 shooting that killed Rondo’s cousin. Durk has pleaded not guilty and remains held without bail in Los Angeles due to concerns he might flee or pose a danger.
The trial date was moved so both sides can prepare
Defense attorneys and prosecutors jointly asked the court to push the trial from January to October because of the “unusual and complex” nature of the case. The discovery includes surveillance footage, audio recordings, witness statements, photographs, and medical documents that both sides must study carefully.
Judge Patricia Donahue signed off on the new date on December 31, 2024; noting that moving the trial would allow a fair opportunity for pretrial motions and witness preparation.
Lil Durk’s lead lawyer called RICO prosecutions a shortcut for “weak-legged” prosecutors
In an April phone interview with DJ Akademiks, Lil Durk’s lead counsel, Drew Findling, sharply criticized how prosecutors use the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) in music cases.
He said,
“RICO is like giving steroids to a hitter who can’t hit.”
Meaning it lets prosecutors win by showing only a pattern of behavior instead of proving each crime on its own. Findling added,
“They’ll count a social-media post at a gas station as an ‘overt act’—that’s crazy”.
He described some prosecutorial tactics as “madness” and accused certain offices of twisting the law to secure headlines.
Lil Durk’s team wants his lyrics excluded from evidence
Prosecutors have pointed to lyrics in Durk’s song “Wonderful Wayne & Jackie Boy” as proof of his intent, but the defense argues those lyrics were written months before the shooting and represent only artistic expression.
In a court filing, his attorneys wrote,
“Using creative work to suggest real-world acts is unfair and misleading”.
They have asked Judge Donahue to block any reference to his music, saying it would prejudice the jury against Lil Durk.
Legal experts say the outcome could affect how courts treat rap lyrics, social media posts, and group associations in future cases. If the judge limits the use of artistic or online activity as evidence, it may protect other performers from similar prosecution tactics. The May 8 bond hearing will also signal how strict the court will be about Durk’s custody status before the trial begins.
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