Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk, whose real name is Durk Devontay Banks, has been acquitted of all charges in a high-profile federal murder-for-hire case connected to a 2022 shooting in Los Angeles.
A Los Angeles jury found the 33-year-old rapper not guilty on all five federal felony counts after deliberating for three days.
Lil Durk had been accused by federal prosecutors of organising and financing a revenge plot against Atlanta rapper Quando Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Bowman.
Prosecutors alleged that the alleged plot was motivated by the 2020 killing of Lil Durk’s close friend and fellow rapper, Dayvon “King Von” Bennett.
Lil Durk Cleared in Los Angeles Shooting Case
According to prosecutors, Lil Durk allegedly planned, ordered and financed an operation targeting Quando Rondo.
However, the August 19, 2022 attack in Los Angeles resulted in the death of Quando Rondo’s cousin, 24-year-old Saviay’a Robinson, who was shot during a daytime ambush.
Lil Durk’s defence team strongly denied that the rapper was involved in the alleged murder-for-hire scheme.
His lawyers argued that his former personal assistant, Kavon Grant, was responsible for arranging the intended attack and maintained that Banks himself had no role in the alleged plot.
Rapper Was Arrested in 2024
Lil Durk was arrested in 2024 and pleaded not guilty to the federal allegations against him.
The charges included conspiracy, stalking involving a dangerous weapon, stalking resulting in death and two counts connected to the alleged murder-for-hire operation.
After the jury returned its verdict, supporters of the rapper celebrated outside the Los Angeles courthouse.
Defence attorney Drew Findling said Lil Durk was thankful following the acquittal.
The verdict represents a major legal victory for the rapper, who has remained in custody during the proceedings.
Lil Durk – Backdoor (Official Music Video)
Co-Defendants Found Guilty on Some Charges
Lil Durk’s co-defendants, Deandre Dontrell Wilson and David Brian Lindsey, were also involved in the federal case.
The two men were convicted of stalking and conspiracy to commit stalking but were acquitted of the other charges against them.
The different verdicts came after the jury considered evidence surrounding the alleged plot and the fatal Los Angeles shooting.
Lil Durk’s Music Career
Despite the legal proceedings, Lil Durk remains one of the prominent figures in contemporary American hip-hop.
Since 2019, seven of his albums have reached the top five of the US Billboard chart.
The Chicago-born rapper has also worked with major artists including Drake and J. Cole, collaborating on several successful singles.
His career has earned him international recognition and a Grammy Award, making the federal case one of the most closely followed legal matters involving a major hip-hop artist in recent years.
Lil Durk Still Faces Another Federal Trial
Although Friday’s acquittal clears Lil Durk in the federal murder-for-hire case, his legal troubles are not over.
Banks remains in custody pending a separate federal trial scheduled for next month.
The second case involves allegations relating to racketeering, murder and firearms charges.
If convicted on all charges in that separate case, Lil Durk could face life imprisonment.
The rapper’s latest acquittal therefore marks an important development in his legal battle, but his future will remain closely tied to the outcome of the upcoming federal trial.
Source: newsthemegh.com