Federal prosecutors said Thursday that rapper Lil Durk, who is accused of ordering a murder in Los Angeles two years ago, may be connected to another murder in Chicago – allegations that have helped a judge to convince the Grammy winner to remain in prison as in his case proceeds.
During a detention hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Donahue said the 32-year-old rapper, whose legal name is Durk Devontay Banks, had significant resources and the ability to escape.
Lawyers for Banks had pushed for his release, offering a bond secured by $2.3 million in equity in two Georgia homes and $1 million in cash. They also said they would engage 24-hour security to ensure compliance with the conditions imposed by the court.
More than 30 people, including family members, friends and representatives of Sony Music, crowded into the courtroom, the assistant U.S. attorney said. Ian Yanniello said it demonstrated the fact that Banks is “a powerful and influential man who has considerable resources.”
“This case is about how he used that power and influence and how he used those resources to promote and sustain violence with deadly consequences,” Yanniello said.
Banks is accused of ordering the killing of Tyquian Bowman, a Georgia rapper known as Quando Rondo, whose cousin was killed in a botched ambush near the Beverly Center mall in Los Angeles in 2022. Banks has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to an indictment, Banks attempted to commercialize the shooting death by rapping about his revenge “with music that specifically references audio from a news clip” in which Bowman screamed “No, no!” after seeing his cousin's body.
Drew Findling, Banks' attorney, disputed that claim in court Thursday, saying the song prosecutors were referring to was recorded eight months before the shooting.
The prosecutor responded that the indictment “lists significant evidence of Mr. Banks' involvement.”
In a brief filed Thursday, prosecutors also cited a separate federal case in Chicago involving the killing of Stephon Mack outside a youth center.
A search warrant originally filed under seal in Illinois in April 2023 and publicly filed on Wednesday alleges that Banks “offered money to people responsible for his brother's murder, and specifically to pay money to any Gangster Disciples.” “that will kill.”
Banks' brother, Dontay Banks Jr., was shot outside a nightclub in Harvey, Illinois, in June 2021, according to the search warrant.
“The evidence collected in this case also shows that the defendant allegedly offered bounties to incite other murders, including a family member of a witness,” California prosecutors said in their brief. “The defendant’s modus operandi is clear: He will use his power, money, influence and any provisional release to endanger anyone he perceives as a threat, including, in this case, witnesses.”
A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Illinois said two people have been charged in Mack's killing: Anthony Montgomery-Wilson and Preston Powell. When asked whether charges have been or will be filed against Banks, the spokesman declined to comment.
Jonathan Brayman, one of Banks' attorneys, said after the detention hearing that his client has not been charged in connection with the Chicago shooting and “we do not expect him to be charged.”
“The news that comes out has nothing to do with us,” Findling added. “Our customer has nothing to do with it; That’s not part of our case.”
During his detention hearing, Banks smiled at his wife and mother, who cried during the proceedings. Banks blew his wife a kiss as U.S. marshals led him away.
“We love you,” his family and friends shouted to him in the hallway outside the courtroom.