Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk has been acquitted of federal charges accusing him of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot targeting rival rapper Quando Rondo.
According to reports, a federal jury in Los Angeles found the 33-year-old Chicago rapper, whose real name is Durk Banks, not guilty on Friday after three days of deliberations. The case stemmed from a 2022 shooting near the Beverly Center in Los Angeles. Prosecutors alleged that Banks arranged for a group of men to travel to Los Angeles and target Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Bowman, in retaliation for the 2020 killing of Chicago rapper King Von, a close friend of Banks.
Rondo survived the August 2022 shooting, but his 24-year-old cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, known as Lul Pab, was killed. Banks had faced charges including conspiracy, murder for hire resulting in death and firearms-related offenses. His defense maintained that Banks had no involvement in the shooting and argued that a former personal assistant was responsible for organizing the plot. Two co-defendants, Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey, were convicted of conspiracy and stalking-related charges connected to the shooting, but were acquitted of the murder-for-hire charges.
Following the verdict, Banks’ attorney Drew Findling said the rapper was thankful for the jury’s decision. However, Banks remains in custody and is scheduled to face a separate federal trial beginning October 5th. That case involves racketeering and firearms charges, and Banks could face a life sentence if convicted.
Prosecutors say they remain prepared to present evidence in the second trial.
