Tensions surrounding coverage of Lil Durk’s federal murder-for-hire trial have moved beyond social media, according to Trap Lore Ross. The YouTuber says people he identified as members of Durk’s team confronted him outside the Los Angeles courthouse Wednesday and demanded that he delete a post, prompting the authorities to intervene.
“I might take a break from tweeting,” Ross wrote on X. “Durks team acting very unprofessional. Screaming ‘DELETE THE TWEET’ in my face outside the court room leading to court Marshall’s having to step in.” He described the encounter as “very disappointing and intimidating conduct towards the press in this case.”
The confrontation followed another dispute over Ross’ courtroom reporting, this time involving statements made during cross-examination by Durk’s attorney Brian Steel. Ross accused Steel of giving the jury inaccurate information about the aftermath of King Von’s 2020 killing, including who first referred to Timothy “Lul Timm” Leeks as “King Tim.” Ross claimed Steel attributed the nickname to Quando Rondo when it actually originated with another Savannah rapper. He also objected to Steel repeatedly describing Leeks as having murdered Von.
Read More: Trap Lore Ross Responds After Being Confronted At Lil Durk Trial
The Death Of King Von
Leeks was initially charged with felony murder after Von was fatally shot outside an Atlanta hookah lounge in November 2020. His attorney confirmed in 2023 that the case was dismissed before Leeks was ever indicted. Reporting at the time indicated that prosecutors had come to view self-defense as a significant issue in the case.
Ross also claimed the FBI agent being cross-examined agreed with Steel’s characterization in court. “Bet everyone so concerned about ‘factual reporting’ won’t repost that today tho,” he wrote, a pointed response to criticism he has received over his own coverage of the proceedings. His reporting has already drawn confrontation outside the courthouse. Days earlier, a Durk supporter approached Ross and accused him of “doing the police’s job” by covering criminal cases involving rappers.
The dispute is unfolding as prosecutors present their murder-for-hire case against Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks. The government alleges he financed a 2022 plot to kill Quando Rondo in retaliation for Von’s death. Rondo survived the Los Angeles shooting, but his cousin Saviay’a Robinson was killed. Durk has pleaded not guilty, and his defense has rejected prosecutors’ claim that he ordered or financed the attack.
