LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk has been acquitted in a high-profile federal case accusing him of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot against rival rapper Quando Rondo.
Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks, was found not guilty Friday after a federal jury in Los Angeles deliberated for three days. The 33-year-old Chicago rapper faced charges including conspiracy, stalking resulting in death and murder for hire.
The verdict brought an end to a closely watched trial that attracted significant attention both inside and outside the downtown Los Angeles federal courthouse.
A crowd of Durk supporters gathered at the courthouse during the proceedings, with artists including Machine Gun Kelly and Kanye West among those attending.
Following the verdict, West posted on X: “Lil Durk is not guilty on ALL COUNTS.”
Prosecutors Accused Durk of Ordering Revenge Attack
Federal prosecutors alleged that Durk helped arrange an attack on Quando Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Terrel Bowman, in August 2022.
According to the prosecution’s case, a group of men traveled to Los Angeles and followed Rondo and his entourage before gunmen opened fire on a Cadillac Escalade near the Beverly Center shopping mall.
Approximately 18 rounds were fired into the SUV. Rondo survived the attack, but his cousin, Robinson, was killed.
Prosecutors argued that the shooting was carried out as revenge for the death of Durk’s close friend and fellow rapper King Von, whose real name was Dayvon Bennett.
Bennett was fatally shot outside an Atlanta nightclub in 2020 after an altercation involving members of Rondo’s circle.
Prosecutors Said Durk Was Behind the Plot
During closing arguments, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Yanniello argued that the attack could not have happened without Durk’s alleged involvement.
“(Durk) had his shooters on speed dial,” Yanniello said.
The prosecutor acknowledged that Durk was not physically present when the shooting happened but argued that his money, influence and leadership were central to the alleged operation.
“(Durk) used his money, his power, and his influence to try to kill his biggest opp,” Yanniello added.
The prosecution relied heavily on testimony from people connected to the shooting, including Kacey “OTF Jam” Hester and Keith Jones, two men who admitted their involvement in the attack.
Durk’s former personal assistant, Kavon Grant, also testified during the trial.
Defense Attacks Witnesses as Unreliable
Durk’s attorneys challenged the credibility of the government’s witnesses, arguing that they had strong incentives to cooperate with prosecutors in hopes of receiving reduced sentences.
His defense described Hester, Jones and Grant as “snitches, cooperators, rats” and questioned their accounts of Durk’s alleged involvement.
Defense attorney Brian Steel also argued that Grant had access to Durk’s money and could have been responsible for obtaining weapons and pursuing revenge for King Von’s death.
“[Federal agents] targeted Durk,” Steel said.
The jury ultimately sided with the defense on the charges against Durk, delivering a major legal victory for the rapper.
Co-Defendants Found Guilty on Stalking Charges
Durk’s acquittal came alongside mixed verdicts for his two co-defendants, Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey.
The two men were found guilty of conspiracy to commit stalking, stalking using a dangerous weapon and stalking resulting in death in connection with Robinson’s killing.
However, the jury acquitted both men of murder for hire.
Following the verdict, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said prosecutors were disappointed by the decision involving Durk but maintained that the evidence supported their case.
“Today, the jury delivered justice to the family of Saviay’a Robinson,” Essayli said.
Wilson’s attorney, Craig Harbaugh, said the defense was encouraged by the murder-for-hire acquittal and planned to challenge the remaining convictions.
Lil Durk Still Remains Behind Bars
Despite being acquitted in the Los Angeles murder-for-hire case, Lil Durk will not immediately walk out of jail. The rapper remains in custody while awaiting trial on a separate racketeering charge.
Durk rose to international prominence through his Chicago rap career and collaborations with major artists. He is particularly known for the 2023 hit “All My Life,” featuring J. Cole, which won the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance.
The latest verdict clears Durk of the federal charges tied to the Los Angeles shooting, but his separate legal battle means his time in federal custody is not over.
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