Prosecutors Want an Anonymous Jury in Lil Durk’s Murder-for-Hire Trial, Citing Safety Concerns

Lil Durk, real name Durk Devontay Banks, is currently behind bars awaiting trial on murder-for-hire charges, and prosecutors are seeking an anonymous jury because of what they say is a serious possible threat from Only the Family (OTF) members.

As detailed in a motion filed in federal court on Monday (Oct. 6), the government has expressed a concern for jurors’s safety due to a number of factors, including Durk’s “vast resources” and control over OTF, an organization they say has an “expansive reach” and a “violent nature.”

The feds are seeking to have the names, addresses, and places of employment of the jurors remain secret, even to attorneys trying the case.

In October 2024, Lil Durk was arrested on murder-for hire charges for the August 2022 fatal shooting of Quando Rondo’s cousin, Saviay’a Robinson. Quando Rondo is believed to have been the intended target of the shooting, which is suspected to be retaliation for the fatal shooting of King Von. The government has asserted that the murder-for-hire plot is not an isolated incident for OTF and its members, and that many of the people associated with the alleged gang have committed other violent crimes, including murders.

“As this Court has already emphasized, defendant Banks—the leader of OTF—’uses his money, influence and power to endanger individuals whom he pereceives as a threat,’” the anonymous jury request continues. “Defendants’ vast resources, coupled with the expansive reach and violent nature of OTF, further justify additional safeguards to keep the jury from intimidation and harassment.

“Just like the head of a typical street gang, defendant Banks exerts considerable influencer over his associates, while attempting to insulate himself from their street-level criminality,” the document continues.

Other reasons for requesting an anonymous jury include the potential of a lengthy incarceration for Durk if convicted, and the huge amount of publicity the case will receive.

Prosecutors say that supporters of Durk and the other defendants have already threatened government officials, but an investigation into these threats “uncovered no direct link to defendants.”

Elsewhere in the document, the government alleged that Durk has shown “a repeated disrespect and willingness to impede the judicial process,” noting that he was discovered to have an Apple Watch “with cellular capacity” behind bars in August 2025.

“Even more troubling is Banks’ conduct after he was caught,” the document reads. “Rather than accept responsibility for this violation, defendant allegedly obstructed the investigation attempting to damage and/or destroy the communications device.”

The case’s judge has yet to rule on the government’s request.

Last month, the OTF murder-for-hire trial was delayed until January 2026, against Durk’s wishes. He was seeking to have the trial happen in October, while the other defendants in the case agreed with the decision to push it back. On Monday, Durk filed a number of motions to try to get his case dismissed.