Lil Durk may have beaten the murder-for-hire charges against him, but his fight to get out of jail is far from over.
The Chicago rapper appeared in a Los Angeles federal courtroom Wednesday, Nov. 4, for a bond hearing that ended without a decision. Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald said he needed more time to consider the arguments before deciding whether Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks, can be released while awaiting his next federal trial.
Durk was acquitted in September of all five murder-for-hire charges, but still faces racketeering charges. His next trial, involving co-defendants Deandre “OTF DeDe” Wilson, David Lindsay and Asa “OTF Boogie” Houston, is scheduled to begin Aug. 30, 2027.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Fitzgerald acknowledged that “a great deal has changed” since Durk’s acquittal but said he still considers the rapper a potential danger to the community. The judge also pointed to Durk’s alleged attempt to flee before his September 2024 arrest, saying he had “indisputably attempted to flee,” although he questioned whether the move came from “guilt or panic.”
Durk’s legal team argued that keeping him incarcerated for nearly another year before trial would be excessive.
Lead attorney Drew Findling reminded the judge that high-profile figures including Jay-Z, Michael Rubin and J. Cole had submitted letters supporting Durk’s release, putting their own reputations behind the request.
Attorney Brian Steel also emphasized the length of time Durk has already spent behind bars, calling the prospect of keeping him locked up until trial “unthinkable.” Another attorney, Christy O’Connor, told the judge that Durk understood the consequences of violating any conditions of release.
Prosecutors weren’t buying it.
In a filing submitted hours before the hearing, they argued that Durk remains both a flight risk and a danger to the public, insisting his acquittal did nothing to change that assessment. They also accused him of repeatedly violating jail rules, including using other inmates’ phone access, making unauthorized three-way calls and smuggling communication devices into the facility.
Prosecutors further argued that Durk believes he is “above the law” and could use his wealth and celebrity connections to get what he wants.
His proposed bond package reportedly includes his mother’s home, cash and property from supporters, along with guarantees that the court could access his royalties, publishing income and other earnings if he fled.
Durk was acquitted in the case involving the August 2022 killing of Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson in Beverly Hills. Prosecutors alleged the killing was retaliation for the 2020 death of fellow Chicago rapper King Von.
For now, Durk remains behind bars, waiting for a judge to decide whether his acquittal has changed his chances of coming home.
