Rapper Lil Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, is asking a federal judge to prevent prosecutors from using a text message as evidence in his upcoming murder-for-hire trial.
Banks’ attorneys argue the message was obtained after years of delay and should be excluded because of concerns over how investigators accessed the phone and when the evidence was disclosed to the defense.
Legal Motion
Banks filed the request on July 27 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
According to court documents, prosecutors provided the defense with the text message on July 19, about one month before jury selection is scheduled to begin.
The defense argues the late disclosure creates problems because attorneys had already developed their trial strategy based on previously provided evidence. They say receiving new material shortly before trial limits their ability to properly investigate the evidence and prepare a response.
The contents of the message were not made public because related exhibits were filed under seal.
Phone Search
The defense is also challenging the way investigators obtained the message.
According to Banks’ attorneys, Georgia authorities seized the phone after a 2021 burglary at Banks’ home. They argue the original search warrant applied to devices connected to suspected burglars, not Banks’ own phone.
The defense maintains that Banks was the victim of that burglary and was not a suspect at the time.
Investigators later obtained another warrant to search the phone. Banks’ lawyers argue the reasoning behind that warrant was improper.
Warrant Challenge
The defense claims authorities justified the phone search by saying they wanted to identify people who could potentially harm Banks because of his public profile, financial status, and alleged gang connections.
His attorneys argue that searching a person’s phone as a way to protect them from possible future crimes does not provide a valid legal basis for a warrant.
They are asking the court to find the search unlawful and prevent prosecutors from using information obtained from the device.
Evidence Delay
Banks’ legal team also points to the amount of time the phone remained in government possession.
The filing states that the phone stayed with authorities for years before the FBI obtained a federal search warrant in July 2026.
The defense argues prosecutors have not explained why the search happened so late in the case.
| Case Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Lil Durk (Durk Banks) |
| Court | U.S. District Court, Central District of California |
| Motion Filed | July 27 |
| Hearing Date | August 13 |
| Trial Start | August 20 |
| Main Issue | Text message evidence |
Trial Background
Banks has been held in federal custody since his October 2024 arrest.
The upcoming trial will focus on federal murder-for-hire charges after a judge separated related RICO allegations into a separate case.
Prosecutors allege the case involves a shooting connected to retaliation for the 2020 killing of rapper King Von.
Authorities say the alleged intended target was Tyquian “Quando Rondo” Bowman, but the shooting resulted in the death of his cousin, Saviay’a “Lul Pabb” Robinson, at a Los Angeles gas station in August 2022.
Next Steps
A judge is expected to hear arguments on the evidence challenge on August 13, shortly before jury selection begins.
The court has not yet ruled on whether the text message will be allowed as evidence.
Banks remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
FAQs
Why is Lil Durk challenging the text?
His lawyers say the evidence was obtained and disclosed improperly.
When is the trial scheduled?
Jury selection begins before the trial starts on August 20.
What charges does he face?
He faces federal murder-for-hire charges.
When was Lil Durk arrested?
He was arrested in October 2024.
Has the judge ruled yet?
No ruling has been announced on the evidence motion.
