A federal judge has decided that Lil Durk’s video and lyrics for “Pissed Me Off” can be introduced as evidence at his murder-for-hire trial in Los Angeles, according to Rolling Stone.
U.S. District Judge Michael Fitzgerald made the ruling Thursday after prosecutors argued the 2021 song reflects Durk’s response to the death of his friend and protégé, Dayvon “King Von” Bennett. Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, has denied any role in the killing of Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson.
Defense attorney Marissa Goldberg argued the song would unfairly prejudice the jury and said it largely references Banks’ late brother, Dontay “DThang” Banks Jr. She also said the court had already separated other charges from the upcoming trial and that the song could wrongly pull that material back in.
Prosecutors told the judge a cooperating witness who was involved in the Los Angeles shooting was present when “Pissed Me Off” was filmed and would help explain the lyrics and video. Fitzgerald said the defense would still be able to argue that the song refers to Banks’ brother and said he would consider a limiting instruction if one is requested. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Aug. 20.
Banks has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit murder for hire. Prosecutors say he paid gunmen who targeted Tyquian Terrel Bowman, also known as Quando Rondo, in a 2022 ambush near the Beverly Center, and that Robinson was killed in the crossfire.
