Lil Durk has been found not guilty of all charges in the federal murder-for-hire case involving an alleged plot to kill fellow rapper Quando Rondo.
A federal jury in Los Angeles reached its verdict Friday after three days of deliberations, clearing the Chicago rapper, whose legal name is Durk Banks, of the charges tied to the alleged 2022 plot.
The verdict marks a major legal victory for the Grammy-winning artist, who had faced the possibility of life in federal prison if convicted.
However, the acquittal does not end Durk’s legal troubles. He remains in federal custody while awaiting a separate trial involving racketeering, murder and firearms-related allegations. That case is currently scheduled for October 5.
Jury Rejects Murder-for-Hire Case Against Lil Durk
Federal prosecutors had accused Durk of orchestrating and financing an attack against Quando Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Bowman.
According to the prosecution’s case, the alleged plot was motivated by the 2020 killing of Durk’s close friend and fellow rapper King Von, whose real name was Dayvon Bennett.
Prosecutors argued that Durk wanted retaliation against Rondo and that people connected to his Only The Family collective were involved in carrying out the attack.
The alleged shooting took place in Los Angeles in August 2022. Rondo survived the attack, but his 24-year-old cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, was killed.
The jury ultimately rejected the government’s case against Durk and found him not guilty.
Lil Durk Case at a Glance
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Legal Name | Durk Banks |
| Stage Name | Lil Durk |
| Age | 33 |
| Verdict | Not guilty |
| Case | Federal murder-for-hire prosecution |
| Alleged Target | Quando Rondo |
| Alleged Motivation | Retaliation for King Von’s 2020 killing |
| Fatality in 2022 Attack | Saviay’a Robinson, 24 |
| Trial Location | Los Angeles, California |
| Jury Deliberations | Three days |
| Current Status | Remains in federal custody |
| Next Federal Trial | Scheduled for October 5 |
What Prosecutors Alleged
The government’s case centered on the argument that Durk had played a role in arranging and financing an attempt to kill Rondo.
Prosecutors said the alleged attack was connected to the longstanding tensions surrounding the death of King Von in 2020.
The 2022 attack did not kill Rondo. Instead, Robinson, his cousin, was fatally shot.
Prosecutors presented evidence and testimony intended to connect Durk to the alleged operation. Cooperating witnesses also testified during the trial.
The defense, however, challenged the credibility of those witnesses and disputed the government’s portrayal of Durk as the person who organized the attack.
Defense Team Challenged the Government’s Case
Durk’s defense maintained that the rapper was not responsible for organizing the alleged killing.
Defense attorneys questioned the motivations and credibility of cooperating witnesses, including people who had reached agreements with prosecutors in their own cases.
The defense also pointed toward Durk’s former assistant, Kavon Grant, arguing that Grant had played a role in arranging the intended killing and that the government had not proved Durk was responsible.
After hearing the evidence presented during the trial, jurors ultimately sided with the defense to the extent required for an acquittal.
Durk was cleared of the federal charges connected to the murder-for-hire allegations.
What Happened to Durk’s Co-Defendants?
Durk was not the only defendant facing charges in the case.
Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey, who were tried alongside him, were also acquitted of the murder-for-hire allegations.
However, the two men were convicted on separate stalking-related charges, including conspiracy to commit stalking and stalking involving a dangerous weapon and resulting in death.
The different outcomes mean the verdict did not completely end the legal consequences stemming from the 2022 attack.
Lil Durk Is Still Facing Another Federal Case
While Friday’s verdict represents a major victory, Lil Durk is not being released as a result of this acquittal.
He remains in federal custody because prosecutors are pursuing a separate case involving racketeering, murder and firearms-related allegations.
That case has been separated from the murder-for-hire trial, with another federal proceeding scheduled for October 5.
This distinction is important because the not-guilty verdict applies specifically to the charges decided by the Los Angeles jury in the murder-for-hire case.
It does not resolve the separate federal allegations that Durk still faces.
A Major Moment for Lil Durk’s Legal Battle
The verdict represents one of the most significant developments in Durk’s legal situation since his arrest in 2024.
For the rapper and his defense team, being cleared of the murder-for-hire allegations removes the immediate possibility of a life sentence in that particular case.
Supporters gathered outside the Los Angeles federal courthouse as news of the verdict spread, while the trial had attracted considerable attention from the hip-hop community throughout the proceedings.
The courtroom proceedings also drew prominent music figures and large groups of fans and online content creators.
What Happens Next for Lil Durk?
The next major chapter of Durk’s legal battle will center on the separate federal case he continues to face.
Although Friday’s acquittal provides a significant legal victory, the rapper remains incarcerated and must still defend himself against the outstanding allegations.
For now, the most immediate takeaway is clear: Lil Durk has been acquitted of all charges in the federal murder-for-hire case involving the alleged attack on Quando Rondo.
The verdict closes one major chapter of the case, but his broader legal battle is not over.
Disclaimer: This article reports on a federal criminal case and the jury’s verdict based on current reporting. Lil Durk was found not guilty of the charges decided in this murder-for-hire trial. The separate federal allegations he continues to face have not been resolved by this verdict and should not be presented as established facts unless proven in court.