Lil Durk remains behind bars as his high-profile murder-for-hire case moves through the courts, and his most recent attempt at bail has been shut down—this time due to behavior while in custody.
During a detention hearing on Thursday (May 8), U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Donahue officially denied bond for the Chicago rapper, citing serious concerns stemming from alleged violations of prison communication rules. According to courtroom coverage reported by Complex and legal journalist Meghann Cuniff, Durk, born Derrick Banks, had reportedly accessed the phone accounts of at least 13 other inmates and orchestrated three-way calls, a breach that Donahue said “shows a disrespect for the rules, and that is precisely the court’s concern.”
The ruling comes as a significant blow to Lil Durk and his defense team, who had presented a detailed and costly release plan that included round-the-clock surveillance, private security, and a multi-million dollar bond package. They argued that he posed no flight risk or threat to the community. Despite these efforts, the court found the in-custody misconduct too troubling to ignore.
This latest development is part of an increasingly complex legal battle. Lil Durk is accused of orchestrating a 2022 shooting in Los Angeles that allegedly targeted rapper Quando Rondo, resulting in the death of Rondo’s cousin, Lul Pab. Prosecutors argue Durk helped arrange and finance the hit as retaliation for the 2020 murder of his close friend and collaborator, King Von. He has denied all charges.
The case has already seen controversial turns, including the decision to exclude Durk’s lyrics from being used as evidence—an issue that continues to generate national discussion around freedom of expression in hip-hop and the courtroom.
As of now, the trial is scheduled to begin on October 14.