Lil Durk’s own words took center stage in court Tuesday as prosecutors showed jurors a series of text messages they say reveal his emotional state after King Von’s killing.
Durk, whose legal name is Durk Devontay Banks, wrote “I’m dead inside” on the day Von, born Dayvon Bennett, was fatally shot following a fight involving Quando Rondo.
In another message shown to the jury, Durk wrote, “I gotta go all out for him,” followed by, “I can’t let this slide.”
The next day, Jason Smith checked on the rapper by asking, “You str8.” Durk responded, “Yea I’m good in my feelings ready to put this shit together.”
Defense attorney Brian Steel later objected when prosecutors shortened that message while reading it aloud, arguing the full wording mattered. Prosecutors corrected the statement.
Brian Steel (YSL/OTF) arriving for the first day of the Lil Durk trial in Los Angeles pic.twitter.com/c4rcXVkYNk
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Jurors were also shown another message in which Durk allegedly wrote that Von’s death was “turning me a different animal.”
FBI Special Agent Jarron Farmby testified that Smith and Durk appeared close in their exchanges. Smith referred to Durk as his “real Lil brother,” while Durk replied, “We family fr.”
Prosecutors say the messages support their claim that Von’s death became the motive for an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting Rondo.
Durk has pleaded not guilty.
