A federal jury in Los Angeles acquitted Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk of murder-for-hire charges on Friday. The trial focused on allegations that he attempted to orchestrate the killing of rival rapper Quando Rondo.
Details of the Case and the Verdict
After three days of deliberation, the jury found the 33-year-old artist, born Durk Banks, not guilty of conspiracy, stalking resulting in death, and murder for hire. The two-week legal proceedings attracted significant attention, with fans and fellow artists, including Machine Gun Kelly and Ye, supporting Durk in court.
We thank the jury for seeing there was no murder for hire.
Craig Harbaugh, Attorney for Deandre Wilson
While the jury cleared Durk of the most serious charges, his co-defendants, Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey, were found guilty of stalking resulting in death but also acquitted of murder for hire. Both attorneys expressed confidence in challenging the remaining counts.
- Lil Durk remains in custody pending a separate racketeering trial.
- Prosecutors claim Durk financed a failed hit on Quando Rondo following a 2020 incident where his friend was killed.
The prosecution had argued that Durk funded a group that tracked Rondo in Los Angeles, leading to a shooting incident where Rondo survived but his cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, was fatally shot. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli expressed disappointment over Durk's acquittal but indicated that the legal battle is far from over.
Durk, who won a Grammy earlier in 2023 for his song "All My Life," continues to face serious legal challenges. His upcoming trial will address racketeering charges stemming from his alleged involvement in a broader criminal conspiracy.