Lil Durk is willing to put nearly everything on the line in his bid to secure release on bond.
In a brief filed in a California court on Tuesday (Oct. 27), Durk’s attorneys, including Brian Steel, outlined a bond package they described as “so robust” that violating any release conditions would leave the rapper’s family “destitute indefinitely.”
Lil Durk Found Not Guilty in Murder-for-Hire Trial
One of the key arguments presented in support of his release is that Durk, who is now facing a racketeering trial tentatively scheduled to begin in 2027, was found not guilty in his murder-for-hire trial last month.
“He did not participate in any murder-for-hire plot,” the Deep Thoughts artist’s legal team stated in Tuesday’s filing. “Under the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal’s reasoning, what follows from the jury’s not guilty decree should be [Durk Banks, a.k.a. Lil Durk’s] release on bond.”
As anticipated, prosecutors successfully argued for Lil Durk to remain behind bars despite his acquittal in the first trial.
Lil Durk’s lawyers offer bond package including royalties, more
Bolstering the current argument from Durk’s lawyers is the offering of a “robust” bond package including future earnings from a variety of sources. As noted in Tuesday’s brief, a previous request for bond was criticized by the court for not encompassing “the lion’s share” of Durk’s net worth.
“Mr. Banks has taken the court’s concern to heart,” his lawyers said in the latest filing. “In concert with Mr. Banks’ management team, the defense has identified four streams of future income, three of which would be still viable in the unlikely hypothetical event that he were to flee.”
These income streams include royalties, publishing rights, name/image/likeness, and touring. A caveat of the latter, as Durk’s lawyers have pointed out, is that it would “not be a viable future income stream” should he end up on the run. These income streams are joined by other collateral, like the home where Durk’s mother currently lives.
Further revealed in exhibits accompanying Tuesday’s brief is that Sony Music Entertainment, which collects a portion of Durk’s royalties, is guaranteeing an appearance bond of up to $1 million. The corporation has also agreed to have Durk forfeit future earnings toward the bond.
Jay-Z, J. Cole share letters in support of Durk ahead of bond hearing
As previously reported, Jay-Z and J. Cole contributed additional letters of support for Durk ahead of next month’s hearing. In his letter, HOV, like Durk’s lawyers, emphasized the murder-for-hire acquittal.
“He remains presumed innocent of the charges still pending, and I respectfully submit that the jury’s verdict, together with that presumption, supports giving him the opportunity to await trial at home under whatever conditions the court considers appropriate,” Jay wrote.
We won’t find out whether any of this leads to Durk’s release until Nov. 4.
