A federal jury in Los Angeles acquitted Grammy-winning Chicago rapper Lil Durk on Friday of all federal charges in a murder-for-hire trial involving a 2022 shooting that killed a bystander.
The jury found Durk Devontay Banks, 33, not guilty of conspiracy, stalking resulting in death, and murder for hire after three days of deliberation. The verdict was delivered in a downtown Los Angeles courthouse where the trial took place over two weeks.
Two co-defendants tried alongside Durk were convicted on lesser charges. Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey were found guilty of conspiracy to commit stalking, stalking using a dangerous weapon, and stalking resulting in death, but were acquitted of murder-for-hire charges. Both men remain in custody pending sentencing.
Durk, who was in court wearing a tan suit and brown tie, appeared emotional as the verdicts were read. He remained in custody following the trial, as he faces a separate racketeering charge scheduled for trial on October 5.
The case centered on allegations that Durk orchestrated a plot to kill Atlanta rapper Quando Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Bowman, in retaliation for the 2021 murder of Chicago rapper King Von, a close associate of Durk. Prosecutors claimed Durk offered a "bounty" for Rondo’s death. Instead, the intended target survived, but his cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, 24, was fatally shot in the botched ambush near the Beverly Center in Los Angeles on August 28, 2022.
Two other defendants, Keith Jones and Kavon Grant, pleaded guilty to Robinson’s murder and testified against Durk, Wilson, and Lindsey during the trial. Their testimonies were key pieces of evidence presented by prosecutors.
Durk, a 2024 Grammy winner for Best Melodic Rap Performance for his single "All My Life" featuring J. Cole, has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. His legal team argued that the prosecution failed to prove his involvement in the plot.
The trial drew significant attention, with celebrities including Machine Gun Kelly and Ye (formerly Kanye West) among those present in the courtroom. Large crowds of fans and content creators gathered outside the courthouse during the proceedings.
Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald had warned attendees to maintain decorum during the verdict reading, emphasizing that the moment would evoke "either joy or grief." The gallery largely complied, with only minor reactions observed as the verdicts were delivered.
Durk’s legal team has not yet commented publicly on the acquittal or the upcoming racketeering trial. His defense attorney, Craig Harbaugh, stated after the verdict that the jury had "seen there was no murder for hire."
The case highlights ongoing tensions within the hip-hop community and the legal system’s approach to high-profile criminal allegations involving celebrities.