Lil Durk’s closely watched federal murder-for-hire trial is approaching a critical stage, with jurors expected to begin deliberating as early as Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

The timeline emerged after jurors asked U.S. District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald when they could expect the trial to wrap up. Fitzgerald told the panel that the case was moving toward its conclusion and indicated that deliberations could begin Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on how quickly the remaining testimony and arguments are completed.

The development signals that one of the most closely followed hip-hop criminal trials in recent years is nearing the point when the case will be placed entirely in the jury’s hands.

Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, is standing trial in federal court in Los Angeles alongside co-defendants Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey. Prosecutors accuse the Grammy-winning Chicago rapper of helping orchestrate and finance a 2022 murder-for-hire plot targeting rapper Quando Rondo, whose legal name is Tyquian Bowman. Durk has pleaded not guilty.

Trial Moves Toward Closing Arguments

The trial began Aug. 24 and has featured testimony surrounding the Aug. 19, 2022 shooting near the Beverly Center in Los Angeles that killed Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson, Bowman’s cousin.

Federal prosecutors allege the attack was intended to kill Bowman in retaliation for the November 2020 death of Durk’s close friend and fellow Chicago rapper King Von. Prosecutors contend Durk used his money and influence to facilitate the alleged plot, while his defense has challenged the government's evidence and the credibility of cooperating witnesses.

Several former associates connected to Only the Family have emerged as important government witnesses after pleading guilty, including Kacey “OTF Jam” Hester and Kavon “OTF Vonni” Grant.

Their testimony has become a major battleground in the case, with prosecutors presenting cooperating witnesses as insiders capable of explaining what happened behind the scenes while Durk’s attorneys have attacked their credibility and argued that they have powerful incentives to assist the government.

Jury Could Soon Decide Durk’s Fate

Before jurors can begin deliberating, both sides will have an opportunity to make their final arguments about what the evidence presented during the trial actually proves.

Judge Fitzgerald must also finalize the instructions explaining the legal standards jurors will use when considering the charges. Among the issues being discussed is how conspiracy and aiding-and-abetting principles apply to the government's allegations against Durk and his co-defendants.

Once closing arguments and jury instructions are completed, the case will move into deliberations.

For Durk, that will mark the most consequential stage yet in a federal prosecution that has kept him behind bars while drawing intense attention from the hip-hop world.

The government maintains that Durk was behind the alleged retaliation plot that ultimately resulted in Robinson’s death. His defense maintains that prosecutors have failed to prove that Durk ordered or knowingly participated in the attack.

With the weeks of testimony approaching an end, those competing versions of the case could be in the jury’s hands within days.