Lil Durk Seeks Dismissal of Murder-for-Hire Charges Amid Evidence Dispute

CHICAGO, IL — Rapper Lil Durk, born Durk Banks, filed a motion on April 21, 2025, to dismiss murder-for-hire charges stemming from a 2022 incident. His legal team claims federal prosecutors misled a grand jury by presenting what they allege is false evidence, specifically citing lyrics from his song as proof of intent to commit a crime.

According to court documents, Durk was implicated last year in the shooting involving rival rapper Quando Rondo, which resulted in the death of Rondo’s friend, Lul Pab. Although Rondo survived the incident, the shooting was reportedly a retaliatory measure related to another murder in 2020 involving King Von, a friend of Durk.

Prosecutors referenced the lyrics from Durk’s feature on the song “Wonderful Wayne & Jackie Boy,” which was released in December 2022, stating they illustrate a celebration of revenge. The lyrics include lines like, “Told me they got an addy (go, go)/ Got location (go, go)/ Green light (go, go, go, go, go),” sparking claims that they connect to the alleged crime.

However, Durk’s lawyers argue the song’s recording took place in January 2022, months before the shooting. They presented sworn affidavits from music producers to support their assertion. “The government told the grand jury that Mr. Banks, through specific lyrics in his music, celebrated and profited from a revenge murder that he had ordered,” said David Findling, Durk’s attorney. “That claim is demonstrably false.”

The legal team contends that the songs referenced by prosecutors misrepresent the events surrounding the shooting. They assert that the prosecutors’ claims fail to establish a clear link between the lyrics and the incident, especially given that the clips cited were based on edits and not the original content.

“Mr. Banks did not create these videos, and the government has failed to show any nexus between these manufactured video clips and Mr. Banks,” Findling continued. “The internet users who posted the videos are apparent ‘fan pages’ maintained by people with no affiliation to Mr. Banks.”

If the motion to dismiss is not granted, Durk’s lawyers are requesting that Judge Patricia Donahue release grand jury records for review. They argue that any alterations or edits to the song after its original recording date were not made by the rapper or his associates, thereby questioning the validity of the evidence used against him.

This case has drawn significant attention, reflecting broader conversations about the intersection of music and legal accountability in the hip-hop industry. Durk was arrested in October 2024 and faces charges including conspiracy and firearm possession linked to the attack that resulted in Lul Pab’s death.