Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk was acquitted Friday of all charges in a federal murder-for-hire case, according to reporting by BBC News. The verdict followed three days of jury deliberations in Los Angeles.
Durk, whose real name is Durk Devontay Banks, had faced five felony counts, including murder for hire resulting in death and conspiracy. Prosecutors accused him of orchestrating a 2022 revenge attack targeting rival rapper Quando Rondo. Rondo was unharmed, but his cousin Saviay’a Robinson was killed in the shooting.
Defence lawyer Drew Findling said Banks was “thankful” after the verdict. Supporters cheered outside the courthouse.
Banks remains in custody and faces a separate trial beginning 5 October on racketeering-murder and firearms charges. First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said prosecutors were disappointed but planned to present their evidence in that case.
The three-week trial also involved co-defendants Deandre “OTF Dede” Wilson and David “Browneyez” Lindsey. According to the BBC’s report, both were convicted of stalking and conspiracy to commit stalking but acquitted of murder-for-hire charges.
Banks founded the OTF collective in 2010 and won the 2024 Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance for “All My Life,” featuring J Cole. He has had seven albums reach the US Billboard chart’s top five since 2019 and has collaborated with artists including Drake and J Cole.
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