Lil Durk’s latest bid for bail remains undecided after impassioned pleas from his defense team and a warning from the prosecution that it’s “too risky” to release the rapper.
U.S. District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald heard arguments from both sides on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 4 in Los Angeles federal court, but did not immediately rule on the rapper’s bail request ahead of his racketeering-related trial.
Durk was acquitted on all counts in his murder-for-hire trial on Sept. 11. But he has remained jailed because additional charges were separated for a second trial.
The music star, whose legal name is Durk Banks, has been in federal custody since his arrest in October 2024.
Courtroom Arguments
Urban Hollywood 411 was in the courtroom Wednesday, as lead defense attorney Drew Findling described Banks as a hero in his hometown of Chicago and said the rapper would comply with the court’s conditions if released on bail.
“He has a very strong incentive not to behave foolishly,” Findling said.
The attorney cited letters submitted to the court vouching for Banks, including one from Andrea Robinson, the mother of shooting victim Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson. Robinson said the family did not oppose bond if the court considered it appropriate.
Findling noted that rappers Jay-Z and J. Cole also wrote letters on Banks’ behalf. “We started with Jay-Z after the government said, ‘He’s no Jay-Z,’” the attorney told the judge.
In an Oct. 12 letter, Jay-Z praised Banks’ work ethic and faith.
“I met Durk several years ago. He was kind, respectful and focused on his career. He approached his work with seriousness and discipline,” Jay-Z wrote.
Back in court, defense attorney Christy O’Connor told the judge Banks is willing to put up a “huge and all encompassing bond package,” including his mother’s home and his future music royalties as collateral.
Prosecution Warnings
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Weiner warned Banks might flee to a country without an extradition agreement with the United States if given the chance. Weiner emphasized that Banks was arrested while attempting to board a private jet in Florida.
“He can create music from another country. He can accumulate wealth,” said Weiner.
The prosecutor also alleged Banks had been a problematic inmate at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles.
“Mr. Banks has absolutely no respect for authority,” said Weiner. “Mr. Banks treats MDC like a hotel.”
Weiner alleged Banks had hidden a contraband phone in a “body cavity” before it was “secreted” out. The prosecutor also said the rapper “attempted to engage with a cooperating witness,” and acts like “he runs” the jail.
“It is just too risky to release him,” he said.
Conditions at MDC
The prosecutor confirmed news reports that Banks is currently in solitary confinement following a dispute with jail guards over searches of his cell.
Defense attorney Brian Steel alleged Banks was being “targeted” by guards.
“MDC is horrible,” Steel told the judge.
Prosecutors have accused Banks of financing an August 2022 attack targeting rival rapper Quando Rondo near the Beverly Center in Los Angeles. Quando survived, but his cousin Lul Pab was killed.
The remaining charges against Banks involve alleged violent crimes in aid of racketeering, known as VICAR. Prosecutors allege he led a criminal enterprise connected to Only the Family, the Chicago hip-hop collective and record label he founded.
Banks denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty. His next trial is scheduled for August 2027.
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