Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️

Criminal Defense Attorney in Manhattan.
Serious criminal cases. Trials. Investigations. Civil Rights.
Not legal advice.

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

An intro for those who are new here;

I’ve spent years practicing criminal defense, trying cases across New York State, and representing people during some of the hardest moments of their lives

I figured it was time to put those experiences into words

Here’s to the cases ahead

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

Prosecutors will likely use these witnesses to show the agreement, motive and intent behind the circumstantial evidence

Defense will argue there was no payment for a murder, no promise of payment and no evidence tying Durk to an agreement to kill Quando Rondo /9

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

So hotel bookings, plane tickets, money changing hands, all of it means nothing unless the government can show it’s in furtherance of the murder plot for pecuniary value /8

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

Here’s the important part, 18 USC § 1958(a) requires the government to prove the alleged use of interstate facilities was tied to an intended murder for something of pecuniary value /7

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

This gives the defense two attacks at once. First, credibility. These witnesses have every reason to help themselves at sentencing. Second, coaching. If dozens of conversations weren’t recorded, the defense can argue the jury has no way to know how their stories developed or what investigators said along the way /6

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

His defense attorney brought out good testimony today. Hester was reportedly interviewed about 30 times but only 3 were recorded. Jones about 15 times with only 1 recorded. Grant about 10 times with none recorded /4

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

That’s where the cooperators come in. Kavon Grant, Kacey Hester and Keith Jones have pleaded guilty and are expected to testify for the government. They also face serious prison time following their guilty pleas. The defense is going straight at the obvious question: what do they gain by putting the blame on Durk? /3

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

So far the trial has shown how the case depends on cooperating witnesses. The government has records showing flights, hotels and money moving around. The harder question is what those acts actually meant and whether Lil Durk intended them to further the alleged murder plot /2

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

Lil Durk trial continues and so far seems to be based solely on the testimony of cooperative witnesses. I’ll explain /1

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

Over 50 interviews with very little tape of what was actually said /5

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

For more updates:

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

Lil Durk trial continues and so far seems to be based solely on the testimony of cooperative witnesses. I’ll explain /1

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

Lil Durk’s federal murder for hire trial starts today after 665 days in custody. Prosecutors allege he directed a 2022 plot targeting rival Quando Rondo that instead killed Rondo’s cousin Saviay’a Robinson near the Beverly Center. Here’s what we know so far /1

[DailyRapFacts @DailyRapFacts]

Lil Durk’s trial is officially starting today after spending 665 days in custody 👀

He’s currently facing life in prison.

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

A conviction on the murder for hire resulting in death would expose him to life and the firearm counts stack consecutive mandatory minimums. The trial will test whether the government can prove Lil Durk ordered and paid for the hit beyond a reasonable doubt /9

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

Two experts have testified for defense including Forensic psychologist Paul Zeizel who testified that Clancy suffered from bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis and was not criminally responsible

Dr. Phillip Resnick testified that she was “frankly psychotic” and experiencing a command hallucination at the time

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

Prosecutors are alleging Clancy waited until she was alone with her children after sending her husband out for medication and takeout. They introduced evidence about the timing of that trip and what happened inside the home while he was gone

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

@XXL For anyone wanting to follow the trial strategy:

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

@mymixtapez For anyone wanting to follow the trial strategy:

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

@mymixtapez For anyone wanting to follow the trial strategy:

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

Lil Durk trial continues and so far seems to be based solely on the testimony of cooperative witnesses. I’ll explain /1

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

@XXL For anyone wanting to follow the trial strategy:

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

Lil Durk trial continues and so far seems to be based solely on the testimony of cooperative witnesses. I’ll explain /1

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

Prosecutors will likely use these witnesses to show the agreement, motive and intent behind the circumstantial evidence

Defense will argue there was no payment for a murder, no promise of payment and no evidence tying Durk to an agreement to kill Quando Rondo /9

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

Lil Durk trial continues and so far seems to be based solely on the testimony of cooperative witnesses. I’ll explain /1

[XXL Magazine @XXL]

Cooperating witnesses in the Lil Durk case were reportedly collectively interviewed over 50 times but rarely recorded.

On Tuesday (Aug. 25), the prosecution continued to lay out its case against Durk and his codefendants, DeAndre Wilson and David Lindsey, for the murder of Quando Rondo's cousin, Saviay'a Robinson. According to I'm Not a Lawyer But... creator Melanie Goolsby, who is covering the trial, today's hearing featured cross-examination from Durk's attorney, Brian Steel, who questioned Detective Carias about how many times cooperating witnesses Kacey "OTF Jam" Hester, Kavon "OTF Vonnie" and Keith Jones have spoken with detectives.

Jam spoke with investigators 30 times, but only three were recorded. Vonnie spoke with investigators 10 times. However, none of the instances were documented. Keith Jones has spoken to police 15 times, with one being recorded.

“I typically, when I interview, I have it recorded," Carias told the jury. "If it’s not recorded that’s because it’s government preference."

Since shortly after Durk's arrest in October of 2024, rumors circulated that Jam helped bring a case against Durk by being an informant for the feds. He is expected to take the stand. Kavon "OTF Vonnie" and Keith Jones were initially charged as hitmen in the case and have since pleaded guilty and will also be taking the stand against Durk, Wilson and Lindsey. Another man, Asa Houston, has been charged with the murder but will be tried separately.

Durk, Wilson and Lindsey face life in prison if found guilty.

[Ryan A. Forbes, Esq. ⚖️ @RyanForbesLaw]

So hotel bookings, plane tickets, money changing hands, all of it means nothing unless the government can show it’s in furtherance of the murder plot for pecuniary value /8