Jury For Lil Durk's Murder-For-Hire Trial Has Reportedly Been Seated

Jury Seated in Lil Durk Murder-for-Hire Trial

Jury selection in the murder-for-hire trial of Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk has been completed, setting the stage for opening statements in Los Angeles. United States District Judge Michael Fitzgerald oversaw the selection and seating of 12 jurors and four alternates at the end of Friday (August 21), according to KESQ. The process reportedly took longer than expected after one of about 80 prospective jurors said Durk and his co-defendants looked guilty. The court also heard from potential jurors about their views on gangster rap and drill music, with one woman saying the genre could affect her impartiality and a man admitting to having “negative connotations” associated with rap.

The trial is expected to last at least three weeks. Lil Durk, whose legal name is Durk Devontay Banks, has been in custody for nearly two years awaiting trial.

Prosecution Alleges Revenge Plot

In opening statements Monday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Weiner told jurors that Banks was “consumed with revenge” after the killing of his close friend Dayvon Bennett, known as King Von. Weiner said Banks directed hitmen to target Tyquian Terrel Bowman, also known as Quando Rondo, but the ambush near the Beverly Center mall in 2022 went wrong, resulting in the fatal shooting of Bowman’s cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, 24.

“This is a case about revenge, stalking and pre-meditated murder,” Weiner told jurors. “It was defendant Banks’ beef, it was defendant Banks’ money, it was defendant Banks’ hitmen.”

Prosecutors allege Banks used “coded language” to offer a monetary reward for Bowman’s killing. Banks, 33, has pleaded not guilty to charges including stalking resulting in death and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death. Co-defendants David Lindsey and Deondre Wilson, both alleged to have been involved in the shooting, also deny the charges.

Defense Blames Former Assistant

Banks’ attorney, Marissa Goldberg, pushed back against the prosecution’s narrative, placing responsibility on Kavon Grant, a former personal assistant to Banks who has pleaded guilty and is now cooperating with the government. Goldberg described Grant as the mastermind behind the plot, saying he booked hotels, secured cars, and bought ski masks at REI ahead of the shooting.

“Mr. Banks had nothing to do with it,” Goldberg said. “He was not there, he was not connected to it.”

Goldberg argued there was “no money to follow” and no evidence against Banks because, she said, nobody got paid. She also addressed the government’s plan to use Banks’ lyrics as evidence, calling the music “art” and “performance” rather than an admission of crime. Judge Fitzgerald has approved the use of lyrics and music videos, including the “Pissed Me Off” visual, as prosecution evidence. The judge also warned supporters distributing “Free Durk” postcards about potential contempt of court.

Courtroom Scenes and Attendees

Banks’ family and supporters, including rapper Machine Gun Kelly, attended the proceedings. Banks blew a kiss to his wife in the courtroom. During the trial, video of the August 2022 shooting was played for the jury, and one woman sobbed during the playback.

Two other alleged co-conspirators, Keith Jones and Kacey “OTF Jam” Hester, have taken plea deals and are expected to testify against Banks, according to court statements.

Background

Banks won a Grammy in February 2024 for best melodic rap performance for “All My Life” with J. Cole. His legal name is Durk Devontay Banks.