Rapper Lil Durk pleads 'not guilty' to murder for hire

Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Durk Devontay Banks pleaded "not guilty" in a Los Angeles courtroom where he was arraigned Thursday on charges accusing him of hiring people to kill a rival rapper.

Banks, 32, is a Chicago rapper who records and performs under the name "Lil Durk" and is accused of plotting to kill Georgia rapper Quando Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Terrel Bowman.

Federal prosecutors say Banks allegedly targeted Bowman because he suspects the Georgia rapper was involved in the 2020 murder in Atlanta of Chicago rapper Dayvon Daquan Bennett, who performed as "King Von."

Banks allegedly hired five people who are associated with his rap group "Only the Family" to kill Bowman.

Federal prosecutors say Banks placed a bounty on Robinson after one of the rival rapper's associates allegedly shot and killed Bennett outside an Atlanta bar in November 2020.

The federal indictment against Banks says he paid the five alleged shooters and offered to support them with "lucrative" opportunities as rappers.

An August 2022 shooting in Los Angeles didn't kill Bowman, but his cousin, Saviay'a Robinson, was shot to death in West Hollywood.

Bowman, Robinson and Bowman's sister were sitting in a Cadillac Escalade when the gunmen opened fire and killed Robinson. Bowman and his sister were unharmed while Robinson was shot several times.

Banks is charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of using interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death and one count of using, carrying and discharging firearms -- including a machine gun -- in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death.

Five other Chicago men also are facing charges in the federal case in the U.S. District Court for Central California in Los Angeles.

Law enforcement arrested Banks in Miami on Oct. 24 when he tried to board a private plane to Italy after booking three international flights.

Banks was held in Florida without bond and transferred to Los Angeles for Thursday's arraignment hearing.

Prosecutors are opposing any bond requests that would enable Banks to stay out of jail while awaiting trial.

Banks and each of the other five charged in the case face up to life in prison if convicted.