Lil Durk has been found not guilty in the federal murder-for-hire case that placed one of Chicago hip-hop’s biggest stars at the center of a closely watched Los Angeles trial.
A federal jury acquitted the Grammy-winning rapper, whose legal name is Durk Banks, of all charges he faced in the case after three days of deliberations.
Federal prosecutors had accused Durk of helping arrange a retaliatory attack targeting rapper Quando Rondo, whose legal name is Tyquian Bowman. The case centered on an August 2022 shooting in Los Angeles that left Bowman’s cousin, 24-year-old Saviay’a Robinson, dead.
Prosecutors argued that the attack was connected to the killing of Durk’s close friend and fellow Chicago rapper King Von in Atlanta in 2020. They alleged Durk used his money, position and influence to help set the events in motion.
Durk’s defense disputed that account and challenged the credibility of cooperating witnesses who testified during the trial. His attorneys maintained that the rapper did not organize the shooting.
After a two-week trial, jurors rejected the government’s case against Durk, finding him not guilty of charges that included conspiracy, stalking resulting in death and murder for hire.
The verdict was different for two men tried alongside him. Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey were convicted on stalking-related charges, although jurors also cleared both men of the murder-for-hire allegations.
The proceedings attracted attention well beyond the courtroom. Fans gathered outside the downtown Los Angeles courthouse, while fellow music stars Ye and Machine Gun Kelly were among those who appeared during the trial in support of Durk.
The acquittal marks a major legal victory for the 33-year-old artist, but it does not end his federal legal troubles.
Durk remains in custody as he awaits a separate federal trial involving racketeering allegations. That case is scheduled to begin October 5.
The legal battles have unfolded during a career that elevated Durk from Chicago’s drill scene to mainstream hip-hop success. His collaboration with J. Cole, “All My Life,” became one of his biggest records and earned him the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance.
For now, Durk has cleared one of the most serious legal hurdles he faced. Attention will next turn to the separate federal case that will determine whether his courtroom fight continues well beyond this acquittal.
