A federal jury in Los Angeles found Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk not guilty on all charges in his murder-for-hire trial on September 11, 2026, closing a nearly six-year saga tied to a 2022 shooting that killed the cousin of rival rapper Quando Rondo. Durk, whose legal name is Durk Devontay Banks, still faces a separate federal racketeering case expected to go to trial on October 5, 2026, and remains in custody in the meantime.
Quick Answer
- Verdict: Not guilty on all five charges, reached September 11, 2026, after three days of jury deliberation.
- Charges: Conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, use of interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death, conspiracy to commit interstate stalking, interstate stalking involving a dangerous weapon, and interstate stalking resulting in death.
- Underlying incident: A 2022 shooting near the Beverly Center in Los Angeles that killed Saviay’a Robinson, cousin of rapper Quando Rondo.
- Co-defendants: Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey were found guilty of stalking and stalking conspiracy but not guilty of murder-for-hire.
- What is next: Durk still faces a separate federal racketeering trial set for October 5, 2026, and remains in custody.
What Happened
A federal grand jury in Los Angeles began deliberations on Wednesday, September 9, and returned its verdict on Friday afternoon, September 11, 2026, finding Lil Durk not guilty on all charges. Prosecutors had alleged that Durk financed a hit team that traveled from Chicago to Los Angeles in August 2022 to kill rapper Quando Rondo, real name Tyquian Bowman, as retaliation for the 2020 killing of Durk’s friend and label mate King Von. The gunmen fired at least 18 rounds at Bowman’s vehicle outside the Beverly Center shopping mall, missing Bowman but killing his cousin, 24-year-old Saviay’a Robinson.
The Case Against Durk
Federal prosecutors built their case around testimony from three cooperating witnesses connected to Durk’s Only the Family record label, Kasey “OTF Jam” Hester, Kavon “OTF Vonnie” Grant, and Keith Jones, all of whom had pleaded guilty to related charges. Prosecutors argued Durk “used his money, his power, and his influence” to orchestrate the killing as part of a “code of getback” within his circle. Durk’s lead attorney, Drew Findling, along with Brian Steel, who previously helped secure Young Thug’s release in the YSL RICO case, argued the government’s case rested on unreliable, self-interested witnesses, calling it “a tsunami of reasonable doubt” during closing arguments.
What Happened to Durk’s Co-Defendants
Durk’s co-defendants, Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey, received a mixed verdict: the jury found them guilty of stalking and stalking conspiracy, but not guilty of the murder-for-hire charges that carried the most severe potential penalties. Durk had faced a possible life sentence had he been convicted on the murder-for-hire counts.
Reaction to the Verdict
Outside the downtown Los Angeles courthouse, a crowd of fans and content creators gathered as news of the verdict broke. Findling told reporters, “Twenty-two months ago, Durk and I made an agreement that we would make history with the greatest verdict in this country, and it happened today,” adding that “the shackles must come off, and he must walk free so that he can come home to his beautiful family and to the world that loves him.” Despite the acquittal, Durk’s legal team confirmed he will remain in federal custody because of the separate pending racketeering case.
What This Means for Durk’s Legal Situation
The not guilty verdict closes one major chapter of Durk’s legal troubles but does not end them. He faces a separate federal racketeering case connected to his Only the Family collective, expected to go to trial on October 5, 2026. Durk has been held in federal custody in Los Angeles since his October 2024 arrest, and that detention is set to continue as the next case moves forward.
Background on the Case
Durk was arrested in the Miami area on October 24, 2024, after prosecutors said he was attempting to flee the country. He was extradited to Los Angeles and pleaded not guilty to the murder-for-hire charges. Jury selection for the trial began August 20, 2026, with testimony continuing over several weeks before closing arguments on September 8 and 9.
How the Verdict Compares to Other High-Profile Rap Trials
Lil Durku2019s acquittal follows a string of high-profile criminal cases involving major rap artists in recent years, including the YSL racketeering trial that ended with Young Thugu2019s release after a guilty plea. Durku2019s attorney Brian Steel represented Young Thug in that earlier case, giving him direct experience challenging cooperating-witness testimony built around plea deals, a strategy his team leaned on heavily in Durku2019s trial as well. The outcome adds to a mixed recent record for federal prosecutors pursuing music-industry figures on conspiracy and racketeering-style charges, where cases often hinge on the credibility of cooperating witnesses who themselves face reduced sentences in exchange for testimony. For fans and industry observers, the case also renewed debate over how prosecutors use rap lyrics and industry rivalries as evidence in criminal trials, a controversy that has surrounded several similar cases in recent years. Legal analysts following the case noted the verdict may influence how prosecutors approach similar cases going forward, particularly around the strength required from cooperating-witness testimony alone.
What Happens Next?
Watch for Durk’s upcoming racketeering trial, scheduled to begin October 5, 2026, which will determine whether he remains in custody longer or is ultimately released. His legal team is expected to continue arguing that the government’s broader case similarly relies on unreliable cooperating witnesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Lil Durk found guilty or not guilty?
Lil Durk was found not guilty on all five charges in his murder-for-hire trial on September 11, 2026.
What was Lil Durk accused of?
Prosecutors accused him of financing a 2022 murder-for-hire plot against rival rapper Quando Rondo that resulted in the death of Rondo’s cousin, Saviay’a Robinson.
Is Lil Durk out of jail now?
No, despite the not guilty verdict, he remains in federal custody due to a separate pending racketeering case.
What happened to Lil Durk’s co-defendants?
Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey were found guilty of stalking and stalking conspiracy but not guilty of murder-for-hire.
When is Lil Durk’s next trial?
His separate federal racketeering trial is scheduled to begin October 5, 2026.
Who represented Lil Durk in the trial?
His defense team was led by attorneys Drew Findling and Brian Steel.
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