TRIAL UPDATE: United States v. Durk Banks, Court: U.S. District Court, Central District of California (Los Angeles) Presiding Judge: Hon. Michael W. Fitzgerald Date: Friday, August 21, 2026

Jury selection continues for a second day in Los Angeles federal court as prosecutors and defense counsel work to finalize the 12-member panel and alternates in the high-profile murder-for-hire trial of Grammy-winning rapper Durk Banks (Lil Durk) and two co-defendants. 

Banks faces federal charges—including conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and stalking—stemming from an August 2022 shooting near a Beverly Center gas station that targeted rival rapper Quando Rondo and resulted in the death of his cousin, Saviay'a "Lul Pab" Robinson.

 -Jury Panel Finalization: Court proceedings today are strictly focused on completing individual voir dire, resolving financial and personal hardship dismissals, and swearing in the final panel.

-Strict Anonymity Protocols in Effect: Per Judge Fitzgerald’s explicit pretrial protective order, legal counsel on both sides have access to prospective jurors' identities but are strictly forbidden from sharing names or identifying details with the defendants.

-Imminent Opening Statements: Judge Fitzgerald has instructed counsel to prepare for opening statements immediately upon the swearing-in of the jury panel.

Critical Pretrial Rulings Shaping the Defense & Prosecution

-Racketeering Charges Severed: The trial is proceeding exclusively on the core murder-for-hire and stalking counts. In a major procedural victory for the defense, Judge Fitzgerald granted a motion severing two recently added Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (VICAR) charges, ordering them to be tried separately at a later date to protect Banks' right to a speedy trial.

 - Admissibility of Music & Videos: The government secured permission to introduce specific creative works—including the song and music video for "Pissed Me Off" and lyrics from "Who Want Smoke??"—as evidence of motive. A cooperating witness will be called to provide contextual interpretation for the jury. 

-Public Pressure Evidence Allowed: Prosecutors were also cleared to enter media excerpts into the record, including a widely circulated podcast clip featuring 6ix9ine taunting Banks over his associate King Von’s death, which prosecutors argue served as public catalyst for the alleged hit.

Opening statements are expected to begin either late today or at the opening of Monday's session, depending on the speed of final jury seating. If convicted on the primary murder-for-hire conspiracy charge, Banks faces a statutory sentence of life imprisonment.