World · North America · 3 hrs ago
Judge weighs Lil Durk’s release on bail before second trial
A judge is considering whether rapper Lil Durk can leave jail on bail before facing another federal trial.
Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, was acquitted in September of arranging a hit on rival rapper Quando Rondo.
He has spent more than two years in jail, and prosecutors say he previously tried to flee to Dubai before his 2024 arrest.
His lawyers offered his future music royalties as bond and argued that he wants to face trial, while prosecutors say he could escape and continue making money abroad.
The judge said the acquittal changes the risk calculation, but remains uncertain about whether Durk would flee.
Durk still faces a trial next summer over an allegation that he used his record label, Only the Family, as a violent gang; his lawyers dispute the case and say claims tied to the Rondo incident should be excluded.
The judge has not yet ruled on bail and will issue a written decision.
A judge is weighing whether to release rapper Lil Durk on bail before a second racketeering trial.
Durk’s lawyers say he should be released after his acquittal on murder-for-hire charges, while prosecutors argue he may flee.
His lawyers offered his future music royalties as bond and submitted letters of support from Jay-Z and J. Cole.
The judge said the acquittal changed the calculation but also noted that Durk had attempted to flee before his 2024 arrest.
The judge took the bail request under submission and will issue a written ruling.
- Who
- Lil Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, is seeking bail. Prosecutors oppose his release.
- What
- A judge is considering whether to release Durk before a second racketeering trial.
- When
- The judge heard the bail request on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The second trial is expected next summer.
- Where
- The hearing took place in court; the article does not state the court’s location.
- Why
- Durk’s lawyers are seeking his release after his acquittal on murder-for-hire charges. Prosecutors say he may flee.
Durk’s defense team
Federal prosecutors
Risk of flight
Durk’s defense team
Durk’s lawyers say he wants another jury to find him not guilty and that surrendering all future music earnings as bond would deter him from fleeing.
Federal prosecutors
Prosecutors say Durk may flee, including to a country without extradition, and make new music.
Release on bail
Durk’s defense team
The defense is seeking Durk’s release before the second trial.
Federal prosecutors
Prosecutors want Durk to remain in jail.
Durk attempted to flee to Dubai before his arrest.
Durk was found not guilty of murder-for-hire charges.
Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald heard arguments on Durk’s request for bail and took the motion under submission.
Durk is due to face a second trial on a racketeering charge.
- Legal name
- Durk Banks
- Bail proposal
- All future music royalties offered as bond
- Acquittal
- Not guilty of murder-for-hire charges
- Remaining charge
- Federal VICAR racketeering count
- Next trial
- Expected next summer
1 source
What people are saying
It’s a question of psychology
has a very strong incentive now to let the legal system play out, so the acquittals really do change the calculation a great deal
understands how the system works
absolutely no respect for authority