'Consumed with revenge': Trial underway for Grammy winner Lil Durk, accused of murder-for-hire

Key Points:

• The murder-for-hire trial of rapper Lil Durk (Durk Devontay Banks) began in Los Angeles, with prosecutors accusing him of orchestrating a revenge killing after the shooting death of his close friend King Von.
• Prosecutors allege Banks hired hit men to target Tyquian Terrel Bowman (Quando Rondo), but the attack mistakenly resulted in the death of Bowman's cousin Saviay’a Robinson in 2022.
• Banks’ defense attorney blamed Kavon Grant, a cooperating witness and former personal assistant who pleaded guilty, claiming Banks was not involved and that Grant was the true mastermind behind the plot.
• Banks faces charges including stalking resulting in death and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, which he denies; two co-defendants also deny charges, while two others have pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against him.
• The trial has drawn significant attention, with Banks’ family and supporters present, and his attorney emphasizing that his music and lyrics are artistic expression, not evidence of criminal intent.