Lil Durk's father made an emotional plea for prayers and support on Instagram on Wednesday, August 19, one day before jury selection began in his son's federal murder-for-hire trial. Dontay "Big Durk" Banks Sr. shared a video message asking fans and loved ones to keep the family in their thoughts as the case that could determine whether the Grammy-winning rapper spends the rest of his life in prison gets underway in Los Angeles.
What His Father Said
In the video, Banks Sr. spoke directly to his son's fanbase, saying: Continue to keep us in prayer. Continue to shower your love and support on us. We need it at this time right here. The message carried the weight of a father watching his child face the most serious legal battle of his life, with no certainty about the outcome.
He urged supporters to pray for the family every day as the trial proceeds, acknowledging the emotional toll the case has taken on everyone connected to the rapper. The post drew an outpouring of supportive comments from fans and members of the hip-hop community.
The Charges
Lil Durk, born Durk Banks, 33, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death, stalking resulting in death, conspiracy to commit stalking, and discharging a machine gun in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death. He faces a possible life sentence if convicted.
Federal prosecutors allege Durk financed and ordered a plot to kill rival rapper Quando Rondo (real name Tyquian Bowman) in retaliation for the 2020 death of his close friend and OTF associate King Von. Prosecutors say associates connected to Only the Family traveled from Chicago to California to carry out the attack, which reportedly killed Quando Rondo's cousin rather than the intended target.
Trial Timeline
Durk was arrested in October 2024 and has been jailed since. In June 2026, he and his associates were charged with violations of the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering Activity statute. Jury selection began on August 20, with the trial expected to last several weeks.
The case is being tried in federal court in Los Angeles. Multiple co-defendants are involved, and prosecutors are expected to present evidence including financial records, communication intercepts, and cooperating witness testimony.
The Stakes
This is one of the highest-profile federal murder-for-hire cases involving a major recording artist in years. Durk is a Grammy winner and one of the most commercially successful rappers of his generation, with multiple platinum albums and a fanbase that has remained vocal in its support throughout his incarceration.
His father's prayer request underscores the human dimension of a case that will play out under intense public scrutiny over the coming weeks.
