Lil Durk, the Chicago-based rapper whose real name is Durk Devontay Banks, was found not guilty on Friday of five felony counts, including murder for hire resulting in death and conspiracy. The verdict came after three days of jury deliberations in Los Angeles federal court. Banks had faced potential life imprisonment if convicted. His defense attorney Drew Findling stated that the artist was grateful for the outcome, and supporters gathered outside the courthouse to celebrate.
The case centered on a fatal shooting in August 2022 at a Los Angeles petrol station where a vehicle carrying rapper Quando Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Bowman, came under fire. Bowman was not harmed, but his cousin Saviay’a Robinson, who was also in the vehicle, was killed. Federal prosecutors alleged that Banks orchestrated the attack as retaliation for the 2020 death of Chicago-based OTF rapper King Von, who was fatally shot during an early-morning altercation in Atlanta. Banks founded the OTF label in 2010.
Two co-defendants tried alongside Banks also received mixed verdicts. Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey were convicted of stalking and conspiracy to commit stalking but acquitted of murder-for-hire charges. The prosecution’s case relied on testimony from three cooperating witnesses who had reached plea agreements and testified against the defendants. Prosecutors argued that Banks had indicated a willingness to pay a bounty to anyone who would kill Bowman and that social media pressure influenced his actions.
Despite the acquittal, Banks remains in custody pending a separate trial scheduled for 5 October, where he will face racketeering murder and firearms charges. The First Assistant U.S. Attorney stated the office looked forward to presenting evidence at the upcoming trial. Banks has achieved significant commercial success, with seven albums charting in the top five of the U.S. Billboard chart since 2019, and he won a Grammy Award in 2024 for Best Melodic Rap Performance for “All My Life” featuring J Cole.
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