Lil Duke asks for murder-for-hire case to be dismissed due to lack of evidence
Rapper challenges prosecutors over omitted details
Lil Durk is asking a Los Angeles federal judge to throw out his murder-for-hire case, saying prosecutors failed to provide information needed to prepare a proper defense.
The Chicago rapper, born Durk Banks, is accused of hatching a plot to kill a man with tuberculosis in retaliation for the 2020 death of his close associate King Von. Prosecutors allege Durk used encrypted messages and promises of cash or record deals through his Only The Family (OTF) imprint to inspire others to carry out hits.
Durk’s legal team said the government’s case lacked basic facts and failed to explain how he participated in the alleged crimes.
Defense says indictment is too vague to defend
Attorneys Drew Findling, Marissa Goldberg, Jonathan Breiman and Christy O’Connor filed a motion seeking to dismiss the charges or force the government to provide a more detailed explanation of its allegations.
“While the indictment alleges that the conspirators carried out various acts at the direction of Mr. Banks — flying to Los Angeles; tracking, stalking and attempting to shoot TB; and procuring the firearms and equipment used to do so — it provides no details. When, where, how and to whom did Mr. Banks issue these alleged instructions? To ensure the fundamental fairness of this trial, the defense has a right to know,” Findling said.
The indictment alleges that Duke offered “lucrative musical opportunities” and offered bounties on tuberculosis, but the defense said prosecutors have not determined who received the offers, when they were made or what the alleged coded language was.
Kundo Rondo’s cousin shot to death
Federal investigators said Duke directed members of his team to travel from Chicago to Los Angeles in August 2022 to find and kill TB. That shooting killed Saviay’a Robinson, a cousin of rapper Quando Rondo.
Prosecutors accused Durk of arranging transportation, weapons and disguises to stage the ambush. However, his lawyers argue there is no evidence that he personally participated in the attack or communicated directly with the alleged gunman.
“What the indictment does not tell us is what the defense has a right to know: the ‘valid facts’ behind the government’s theory of Mr. Banks’ guilt. There is no allegation here that Mr. Banks was personally involved in the stalking and shooting at issue,” Findling added.
The next court date is scheduled for November 2025
Durk was arrested near Miami International Airport on October 17, 2024, and remains in federal custody. A hearing on the defense motion is scheduled for 10 a.m. on November 18, 2025, in Los Angeles before U.S. District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald.
