Lil Durk’s murder-for-hire case has been delayed for a second time, with the rapper’s legal team now aiming for a May trial start.
Per Rolling Stone, the Grammy-winning artist appeared in a Los Angeles federal courtroom on Wednesday (January 7), where a judge approved a postponement of at least three months. Although no firm date has been locked in, the defense is pushing to move the trial from January 20 to May 4. The case had previously been set for October 2025.
The Chicago rapper, born Durk Banks, did not personally join his attorneys’ request for the delay, which was made to allow more time to review discovery and prepare for trial. His wife, India Royale, was present in court to show support, and reports also noted that Durk debuted a fresh buzzcut during the appearance.
“We would have been ready to try the case (in two weeks), but the court appropriately decided that with everybody together, we still aren’t there yet,” said Drew Findling, one of Durk’s attorneys, in comments to Rolling Stone reporter Nancy Dillon. “It’s a serious case. These are the stepping stones towards a trial.”
Lil Durk, who was arrested in Florida in October 2024, is reportedly approaching four months in solitary confinement after allegedly being caught with an unauthorized Apple Watch. Last week, his attorney Christy O’ Connor revealed that his commissary privileges have been taken away and that he is now limited to one phone call per month.
“The deleterious effects of extended solitary confinement on an inmate’s psychological well-being are well-documented,” O’Connor told reporters.
The rapper remains in custody over allegations of a murder-for-hire plot tied to the 2022 killing of Saviay’a Robinson in Atlanta, following claims that a hit was ordered on her cousin, rapper Quando Rondo. A status hearing in the case is currently set for February 9.
