Lil Durk acquitted in murder plot case, but remains in custody

Lil Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, had been in federal custody since his arrest in 2024. He was accused of ordering an attack on rapper Quando Rondo, whose legal name is Tyquian Bowman.

The case centred on a shooting in Los Angeles on August 19, 2022. According to prosecutors, Quando Rondo was the target of a retaliatory attack. He survived the attack, but his 24-year-old cousin Saviay’a Robinson, also known as Lul Pab, was killed.

Prosecutors spoke of retaliatory action

According to the US Department of Justice, the attack was linked to the death of Dayvon Bennett, better known as rapper King Von. He was a close friend and colleague of Lil Durk and was shot dead in 2020 following a confrontation outside a nightclub in Atlanta.

Prosecutors alleged that Lil Durk wanted revenge and had deployed people from his music collective Only the Family, better known as OTF, to have Quando Rondo killed. He was said to have organised, financed and facilitated the attack.

During the trial, prosecutors referred, among other things, to flights, hotel bookings, rental cars and statements from people who were allegedly involved in the operation. Several former co-defendants had previously pleaded guilty and testified for the prosecution during the trial.

Defence challenged statements

The reliability of these witnesses was an important part of the trial. The defence argued that former co-defendants had adjusted their statements in the hope of receiving lower sentences themselves.

Lil Durk’s lawyers focused in particular on Kavon Grant, a former employee of the rapper. According to the defence, Grant himself had played an important role in preparing the attack and subsequently tried to place responsibility on Lil Durk.

The defence maintained that the rapper was not involved in the actual plan to kill Quando Rondo.

Rap lyrics used as evidence

Lil Durk’s music also played a role in the courtroom. Prosecutors used several song lyrics and video footage to support their claim that he sought retaliation after King Von’s death.

The defence argued in response that rap lyrics should not automatically be considered evidence of criminal conduct. Artists regularly exaggerate in their music, adopt a persona or process emotions.

The judge admitted some of the lyrics as evidence. However, the jury was ultimately not convinced that Lil Durk was involved in the alleged murder conspiracy.

Co-defendants also partly acquitted

After a trial lasting about two weeks, the jury deliberated for three days. Lil Durk was then acquitted of, among other charges, conspiracy, stalking resulting in death and murder for hire.

His co-defendants Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey were also acquitted of murder for hire. They were, however, found guilty of several charges related to stalking.

New trial awaits

The acquittal does not mean Lil Durk’s legal troubles are over. He remains in federal custody pending a separate trial on a charge of participation in a criminal organisation. That trial is provisionally scheduled for October 5.

Lil Durk achieved international recognition through Chicago’s drill rap scene. In 2024, he won a Grammy Award for the song All My Life, a collaboration with rapper J. Cole.