Lil Durk Verdict: Federal Jury Finds Rapper Not Guilty of Orchestrating 2022 Murder-for-Hire Plot Against Quando Rondo

Lil Durk Found Not Guilty in High-Profile Federal Murder-for-Hire Trial

Grammy-winning Chicago rapper Lil Durk has been found not guilty in the federal murder-for-hire case that accused him of helping orchestrate a 2022 attack targeting fellow rapper Quando Rondo.

A federal jury in Los Angeles returned the verdict on Friday, September 11, after approximately three days of deliberations. Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks, was acquitted of the charges being tried against him in connection with the deadly August 2022 shooting. (AP News)

The shooting resulted in the death of Saviay'a "Lul Pab" Robinson, Quando Rondo's 24-year-old cousin.

Prosecutors had argued that Rondo himself was the intended target and that the attack was connected to retaliation following the 2020 death of Durk's close friend and fellow Chicago rapper King Von. (Reuters)

The verdict represents a major legal victory for Durk after nearly two years in federal custody and one of the most closely watched hip-hop trials in recent years.

But the rapper's legal problems are not completely over.

Lil Durk Verdict at a Glance

Associated Press reported that co-defendants Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey were acquitted of murder-for-hire but convicted on stalking-related counts, including stalking resulting in death. (AP News)

What Happened in the 2022 Shooting?

The federal case centered around an attack on August 19, 2022, near the Beverly Center shopping mall in Los Angeles.

According to prosecutors, a group associated with Durk's Only The Family, commonly known as OTF, followed Quando Rondo and members of his group through Los Angeles before gunmen opened fire on the vehicle they were travelling in.

Federal authorities previously alleged that at least 18 rounds were fired during the attack.

Quando Rondo survived.

His cousin, Saviay'a Robinson, was fatally shot. (Department of Justice)

The Justice Department alleged when Durk was charged that the attack had been organized using flights, vehicles, hotel accommodation and other expenses connected with people associated with OTF.

Those were allegations presented by prosecutors, not findings against Durk. The jury has now acquitted him in the trial concerning that alleged plot. (Department of Justice)

Why Did Prosecutors Say Quando Rondo Was Targeted?

The government's case was closely tied to the death of King Von, whose real name was Dayvon Bennett.

Von was killed in Atlanta on November 6, 2020, following an altercation involving Quando Rondo's group.

Prosecutors alleged that Durk wanted retaliation against Rondo following Von's death and later helped finance an operation designed to locate and kill him. (Department of Justice)

The government attempted to build its case using witness testimony, travel and financial records, communications and some of Durk's music.

Prosecutors also successfully persuaded the judge to allow selected lyrics to be presented during the trial. Songs referenced during proceedings reportedly included "Pissed Me Off," "Who Want Smoke??" and "Ahhh Ha." (The New York Times)

The use of rap lyrics as evidence became one of the most discussed aspects of the case.

Former OTF Members Testified Against Lil Durk

A major part of the prosecution's case came from people who admitted involvement in the alleged plot.

Several cooperating witnesses had entered guilty pleas before testifying.

Among them was Kacey Hester, also known as OTF Jam, who testified about the shooting and alleged conversations involving Durk.

Another key witness was Durk's former assistant Kavon Grant, also known as Vonnie, who acknowledged participating in events surrounding the shooting and testified against Durk. (The Guardian)

Their testimony gave prosecutors witnesses who claimed to have direct knowledge of what happened.

But it also gave the defence a major line of attack.

Lil Durk's Defence Attacked the Credibility of Cooperating Witnesses

Durk's lawyers argued that the government's witnesses had reasons to shift responsibility toward the rapper.

The defence highlighted the fact that cooperating witnesses could potentially benefit from providing information to federal prosecutors.

During the trial, Durk's attorneys played a recorded jail conversation involving Hester in which he discussed cooperating with authorities and the possibility of receiving help in return. (The New York Times)

The defence also argued that Kavon Grant, rather than Durk, had been behind the plot.

Lawyers pointed toward Grant's involvement in arranging logistics and argued that he had his own personal motive to seek revenge following King Von's death. (Los Angeles Times)

That created a central question for jurors:

Did the evidence prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Lil Durk actually ordered and controlled the alleged murder-for-hire operation?

The jury ultimately said no.

Lil Durk Acquitted After Three Days of Deliberations

After roughly two weeks of testimony, the jury began deliberating.

It took approximately three days before jurors returned their verdict.

Lil Durk was found not guilty. (AP News)

The verdict means prosecutors failed to prove the charges against Durk beyond a reasonable doubt.

Because juries generally do not provide detailed written explanations for their verdicts, it is not possible to say definitively which part of the prosecution's case jurors rejected.

During deliberations, jurors had reportedly asked the court for clarification surrounding the meaning of intent and elements of the stalking allegations, showing that the legal requirements of the charges were being closely examined. (AllHipHop)

Lil Durk Trial Timeline

The original 2024 indictment alleged that Durk and others used interstate travel, financial resources and OTF-related funds as part of the attack. At that stage, the Justice Department stressed that the indictment contained allegations and that defendants were presumed innocent unless proven guilty. (Department of Justice)

Is Lil Durk Free After the Not Guilty Verdict?

No.

This is probably the most important detail being missed in some of the social media reaction to the verdict.

Lil Durk remains in federal custody despite being acquitted in this case. (AP News)

A separate federal case is still scheduled to go to trial.

Reuters reports that Durk is currently expected to face another trial on October 5, 2026, involving separate murder-related racketeering and weapons allegations. The Guardian also reported that federal prosecutors intend to proceed with that second case. (Reuters)

So while the September 11 verdict is an enormous win for Durk's defence team, it does not currently mean his release from custody.

What Happened to Lil Durk's Co-Defendants?

Durk was tried alongside Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey.

Both men were also found not guilty of murder-for-hire.

However, unlike Durk, Wilson and Lindsey were convicted on stalking-related charges connected to the attack.

Associated Press reported that both were convicted of:

conspiracy to commit stalking, stalking using a dangerous weapon and stalking resulting in death. (AP News)

Their attorneys may continue challenging those convictions through post-trial motions and appeals.

Celebrities and Fans Packed the Lil Durk Trial

The proceedings became far more than a typical federal trial.

Large crowds of Lil Durk supporters, livestreamers and online creators regularly gathered outside the downtown Los Angeles courthouse.

Ye, formerly Kanye West, and Machine Gun Kelly were among the celebrities reported to have attended proceedings during the trial. (AP News)

Fans wearing "Free Durk" clothing also gathered outside the courthouse, turning the case into a major online event across TikTok, YouTube, X, Instagram and hip-hop communities.

Reaction intensified almost immediately once news of the acquittal spread.

What Does the Lil Durk Verdict Mean?

The result is one of the biggest courtroom victories involving a major rapper in recent years.

Federal prosecutors entered the trial arguing that Durk was the person whose money, influence and position within OTF made the alleged plot possible.

The defence presented a dramatically different version of events, arguing that cooperating witnesses had their own motives and that prosecutors were attempting to hold Durk responsible for actions carried out by other people.

After hearing the evidence, the jury did not find the government's case against Durk strong enough to convict him.

For Lil Durk's music career, reputation and supporters, that is a major result.

Legally, however, the story is not finished.

The next major date to watch is October 5, when Durk is currently expected to return to federal court for his separate trial. (Reuters)

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Sources

• Reuters
• AP News
• The Guardian
• Los Angeles Times

Reuters: Lil Durk acquitted in federal murder-for-hire trial

Associated Press: Lil Durk acquitted at Los Angeles trial

U.S. Department of Justice: 2024 Lil Durk superseding indictment announcement

The Guardian: Lil Durk found not guilty of murder-for-hire scheme

Los Angeles Times: Federal jury acquits Lil Durk