Home / Crime and Justice / Judge Bars Rap Lyrics in Durk Trial
Judge Bars Rap Lyrics in Durk Trial
10 Feb
Summary
- Some of Lil Durk's rap lyrics deemed inadmissible in his trial.
- Prosecutors sought to use lyrics as evidence of alleged gang leadership and violence.
- The rapper pleaded not guilty to murder-for-hire charges.
A federal judge ruled Monday that some of rapper Lil Durk's lyrics will be excluded as evidence in his upcoming murder-for-hire trial. U.S. District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald stated that specific lines from the song "Hanging with Wolves," which prosecutors claimed showed an intent to flee, would be barred as inadmissible propensity evidence. The judge is still deliberating on a broader defense request to exclude all lyrics and music videos, which the defense argues are prejudicial.
Prosecutors intended to use lyrics from 12 songs to support their allegations that Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, led a violent gang. Banks, 33, faces charges for allegedly hiring hitmen for an execution-style killing in August 2022. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His trial is currently scheduled to begin April 21, though potential delays are possible due to scheduling conflicts with co-defendants.
The defense, led by Marissa Goldberg and Drew Findling, argued that rap lyrics constitute art and poetry, often misunderstood and unfairly prejudicial in criminal proceedings. They cited the potential for jurors to be misled by hyperbolic or poetic expressions, distinguishing them from factual evidence. The prosecution contended that visual elements in music videos provide necessary context for lyrical ambiguity.
