Lil Durk's Federal Murder-for-Hire Trial Begins in Los Angeles
Opening statements began on Monday, 24 August 2025, at the downtown Los Angeles federal courthouse in the murder-for-hire trial of rapper Lil Durk, who stands accused of plotting to kill rival rapper Quando Rondo.
Durk Devontay Banks, known professionally as Lil Durk, faces charges of conspiracy, stalking and murder-for-hire over an alleged plot targeting Tyquian Bowman, who performs as Quando Rondo. Two co-defendants are being tried alongside him: David "Browneyez" Lindsey, accused of shooting at Bowman, and Deandre "OTF Dede" Wilson, allegedly riding in one of the getaway cars during the 2022 incident Billboard.
Federal prosecutor Daniel Weiner told the jury that Banks became "consumed with revenge" after the 2020 killing of fellow Chicago rapper King Von and ordered members of his Only the Family (OTF) label crew to carry out the hit. Weiner said Banks paid for flights bringing numerous OTF associates from Chicago to Los Angeles, where the plan was to "track, stalk, hunt and kill" Bowman Billboard. Authorities have previously said Banks made it known he would "pay a bounty" to anyone who killed Bowman AP News.
Bowman was shot at a Los Angeles gas station in 2022 and survived. A man known as Lul Pab was killed in the crossfire Billboard.
The prosecution's evidence includes surveillance video of the gas station shooting, text messages, and Banks's own rap lyrics. Prosecutors also plan to introduce an exhibit containing a text message and voice memo from Banks from December that they say show he turned down a "peace offering" from Bowman Yahoo Entertainment. Three cooperating witnesses who have already pled guilty are expected to testify: Kacey "OTF Jam" and Keith "Flacka" Jones, identified as shooters, and Kavon "Vonnie" Grant, whom prosecutors describe as Banks's "right-hand man" who procured stolen cars and guns Billboard.
Defence lawyer Marissa Goldberg argued in her opening that Banks had "nothing to do with" the 2022 shooting and that there is no evidence he paid for a hit. She pointed the finger instead at Grant, saying Grant had been best friends with King Von since birth and drove Von to the hospital in 2020 after the fatal confrontation. Goldberg argued that Grant had access to Banks's credit cards through his work for OTF, giving him a motive to shift blame onto Banks once law enforcement closed in Billboard.
Banks has maintained his innocence since his arrest in October 2024 Billboard. The trial continues.
