A federal jury has delivered a verdict in the murder-for-hire trial of Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk. Deliberations began on Wednesday regarding a shooting incident that occurred near a shopping center in Los Angeles. However, the specific details of the verdict remain undisclosed at this time.
Because of the second case, federal prosecutors are expected to try to keep Durk in custody even if he is found not guilty in the current trial. Prosecutors wanted both cases to be tried together, but they lost that request over the summer. They are likely to argue that he could pose a greater risk of intimidating witnesses if he is released.
Even if Durk is found not guilty in this trial, Durk still faces a second trial on racketeering charges, according to Complex. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani, now president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, told Complex that prosecutors will “almost certainly” ask for detention even if they lose the trial. “Detention is appropriate if there’s two factors in place: someone is either a risk of flight, or they’re a danger to the community,” he explained.
In the racketeering case, Durk is accused of running a criminal enterprise involved in violence and drug trafficking. Prosecutors have already accused him of trying to intimidate witnesses. They have also accused Durk of trying to flee the country, which prosecutors are expected to use to argue that he is a flight risk. “It doesn’t really turn on the merits of the case or the strength of the evidence, although that’s one factor to be considered. But the primary factor is risk of flight and danger. And the evidence is generally viewed in the light most favorable to the government.”
He was arrested in October 2024 while allegedly trying to leave the country.
Banks has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, stalking, and murder-for-hire charges, and could face life in prison if convicted, according to the Independent. Defense lawyers blamed Banks’ former assistant, Kavon Grant. Grant later testified against Banks after making a plea deal with the government.
