Lil Durk is facing serious allegations of witness intimidation as he awaits trial in a federal murder-for-hire case scheduled for later this year. The Chicago rapper, who is accused of orchestrating the 2022 killing of Quando Rondo’s cousin, is now being accused by prosecutors of attempting to tamper with witnesses from behind bars.
In a recent legal filing opposing Durk’s motion to dismiss the case, prosecutors claimed the OTF frontman had issued threats during his incarceration. U.S. Attorney Bilal A. Essayli clarified the charges go far beyond Durk’s music.
“[Lil Durk] is not on trial for his lyrics or his music; he is on trial because he directed, orchestrated, and financed the brazen murder plot at issue in this case,” said Essayli.
Durk’s legal team had previously argued that the indictment relied heavily on his lyrics—specifically from his song “Wonderful Wayne & Jackie Boy”—which they claim were recorded well before the incident took place. Although those lyrics played a key role in securing the indictment, a judge has since ruled they will not be admissible during trial.
The rapper’s family has been vocal in their support and critical of the government’s case. In a statement shared on Instagram, they accused prosecutors of presenting misleading evidence to a grand jury and condemned what they described as a broader injustice targeting Black artists.
“The recent developments in Durk’s legal case have brought a harsh truth to light: the government presented false evidence to a grand jury to indict him. This isn’t justice. That’s a violation of the very system that’s supposed to protect all of us,” the statement read.
They continued, “Durk has always used music to tell stories, to express pain, to heal—and yet those same lyrics are now being used against him. We refuse to stay silent as Black artists continue to be criminalized for their creativity. Rap is art.”
Durk is currently being held without bond, and his family has called on fans and supporters to rally behind him as the legal battle continues.
“As a family, we are asking the public, the fans, and the culture to stand with us. Stand for truth. Stand for fairness. Stand for The Voice.”
As Durk remains in custody, another bond hearing is expected in the coming weeks.