Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to keep Lil Durk’s entire case intact, saying two separate trials would repeat evidence and place witnesses through the same ordeal twice.
The government filed its 30-page response on July 6 after the rapper requested that a newly added murder charge be separated from the original murder-for-hire case or that all charges be dismissed.
Durk’s lawyers said combining the allegations could delay his trial again after nearly 22 months behind bars. Prosecutors disagreed, maintaining that the six counts share witnesses, records and a connected account of events. According to the filing, people have photographed the courtroom and posted images online, while witnesses and relatives have allegedly received threats.
“Requiring these witnesses to repeat their testimony in multiple trials strongly militates in favor of a joint trial,” prosecutors wrote.
The government also explained why the Chicago killing of Stephon Mack was added back to the prosecution. Two men pleaded guilty in April and May 2026 and admitted under oath that they killed Mack for a cash payment, according to the filing.
Prosecutors cited messages discussing money and a recorded jailhouse confession as newly usable evidence, and they also included a text Durk allegedly sent in July 2023 after the group learned police were asking questions: “delete thread and start new one.”
The filing argues that alleged burner phones, coded language and efforts to erase conversations made the investigation more difficult.
Durk’s attorneys have maintained that delays threaten his right to a speedy trial. Prosecutors replied that he approved the first postponement and that his co-defendants requested the others.
Judge Michael Fitzgerald will consider the dispute July 27 and the trial is currently scheduled for Aug. 20.