Lil Durk pleads not guilty to murder-for-hire charges in Los Angeles court
Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk, born Durk Banks, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to a murder-for-hire conspiracy. The 32-year-old artist entered his plea on Thursday, November 14, 2024, in a Los Angeles courtroom.
Durk faces serious charges, including conspiracy, the use of interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death, and the illegal possession and use of firearms, including a machine gun, in the commission of a violent crime. These charges stem from a fatal shooting that took place in August 2022 at a gas station near the Beverly Center shopping mall in Los Angeles.
The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that Durk conspired with others to murder a rival rapper, leading to the death of a family member of the rival. Authorities claim Durk instructed an associate to avoid using any names associated with him when booking flights, further implicating him in the plot.
Durk was arrested in Florida last month on the federal criminal complaint and has been denied bond. He remains in jail pending further hearings. A status conference is set for November 25, with a detention hearing scheduled for December 12. A tentative trial date for January 7, 2025, may be delayed.
If convicted, Durk faces a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada condemned the crime, highlighting its devastating impact on the community and stressing the importance of holding those responsible accountable.
