Rapper Lil Durk Acquitted in Federal Murder-for-Hire Trial

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Federal Trial and Verdict in Los Angeles

The courtroom proceedings drew notable supporters, including artists Kanye West and Machine Gun Kelly.

Prosecutors alleged that Banks orchestrated a revenge plot following the 2020 death of his close friend, rapper King Von—whose real name is Dayvon Bennett—during a shootout at an Atlanta nightclub. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Yanniello argued during closing statements that Banks used his money and influence to target Quando Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Terrel Bowman. “No one is saying he was the one on the ground with a gun in his hand in Los Angeles, but you know this story doesn’t happen without him,” Yanniello said, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

Defense attorney Brian Steel countered that federal agents improperly targeted Banks and relied on unreliable cooperators. Defense arguments painted witnesses who admitted to the shooting—including Kacey “OTF Jam” Hester, Keith “Flacka” Jones, and former personal assistant Kavon “OTF Vonnie” Grant—as informants testifying in exchange for lighter sentences, according to the Los Angeles Times and CBS News.

Convictions of Co-Defendants

While Banks was acquitted, two of his co-defendants tried alongside him were convicted on related charges. The jury acquitted Wilson and Lindsey of the specific murder-for-hire count.

“Today, the jury delivered justice to the family of Saviay’a Robinson, finding defendants Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey guilty of stalking resulting in Mr. Robinson’s death,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement reported by the New York Post. “While we are disappointed with the jury’s decision regarding Durk Banks, a.k.a. ‘Lil Durk,’ we look forward to presenting our evidence at his second trial.”

Upcoming Racketeering Trial

Although cleared of the Los Angeles murder-for-hire charges, Banks will remain in federal custody to face a separate racketeering trial scheduled to begin on October 5, according to CBS News. Prosecutors stated that the upcoming proceeding will involve racketeering, murder, and firearms charges.

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