Rapper Lil Durk has suffered another legal setback after US federal prosecutors opposed his attempt to separate newly added racketeering charges from his upcoming murder-for-hire trial, arguing that all the allegations should be heard together.
The Chicago rapper, whose real name is Durk Banks, is due to stand trial on August 20 and has been held without bond since his arrest in October 2024.
His legal team recently asked the court either to sever the latest racketeering counts from the original indictment or dismiss the newest superseding indictment altogether, arguing that prosecutors introduced the additional allegations only weeks before trial.
According to the defence, combining the new charges with the existing case would likely delay proceedings and violate Durk’s constitutional right to a speedy trial after spending more than 21 months in custody.
The lawyers also argued that the government had months to bring the latest allegations and had overwhelmed the defence with a vast amount of new evidence shortly before trial.
Federal prosecutors rejected those arguments, insisting that all of the charges arise from the same alleged criminal conduct and should be tried together.
In court filings, prosecutors said holding separate trials would require witnesses to testify multiple times, increasing the burden on individuals who have already faced alleged intimidation.
They also cited concerns over witness safety, noting previous allegations of threats against witnesses and their families, as well as reports that photographs taken inside the courtroom had been circulated online.
“Requiring these witnesses to repeat their testimony in multiple trials strongly militates in favor of a joint trial,” prosecutors argued.
New evidence cited by prosecutors
The government also pointed to the killing of Stephon Mack, saying convictions obtained against two men in related federal cases produced evidence that prosecutors now intend to use against Durk.
According to prosecutors, the men admitted they were attempting to collect a bounty allegedly offered for Mack’s murder.
Investigators also referenced text messages in which the suspects allegedly discussed waiting for Durk to return to Chicago, as well as another message prosecutors say was sent by the rapper instructing associates to “delete thread and start new one” amid concerns about a police investigation.
Prosecutors further argued that delays in bringing the case to trial were partly the result of Durk’s own actions, alleging he sought additional time and attempted to conceal evidence during the investigation.
Grand jury records to be released
Meanwhile, the court is expected to grant a separate request allowing grand jury testimony to be disclosed to both the prosecution and defence before trial.
Neither side opposed the motion, meaning both legal teams will have access to witness testimony and other evidence presented during the grand jury proceedings as they prepare for trial.
The release will also provide details of the government’s proposed witness list.
Big Meech backs Lil Durk
As the legal battle intensifies, Big Meech, co-founder of the Black Mafia Family (BMF), has publicly voiced his support for the rapper.
During a livestream last month, Meech urged the hip-hop community to rally behind Durk.
“Free Durk. Real na, real stand-up dude,” he said. “Free Durk, man. Ain’t enough mothafas shouting him out. Free him, fast.”
Durk has denied all allegations against him.
Federal prosecutors accuse him of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot targeting rival rapper Quando Rondo, which allegedly resulted in the fatal shooting of Rondo’s cousin, Saviay’a Robinson.
His attorney, Drew Findling, has repeatedly maintained that the rapper is innocent, dismissing the latest indictment as “lipstick on a pig” and accusing prosecutors of repackaging old allegations to strengthen what he described as a weak case.
“The fact remains: Durk Banks is innocent, no matter how many indictments they want to throw at him,” the defence said in a recent filing.
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