Rapper Lil Durk Acquitted of Murder-for-Hire Charges in Los Angeles Trial

A federal jury in Los Angeles has acquitted Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk of all charges related to a murder-for-hire plot. The 33-year-old artist, whose legal name is Durk Devontay Banks, had been accused of orchestrating a 2022 daytime ambush at a Los Angeles gas station that resulted in the death of the cousin of rival rapper Quando Rondo. The verdict followed three days of jury deliberations at the conclusion of a trial that lasted several weeks.

Banks faced five felony counts, including murder-for-hire resulting in death, conspiracy, and stalking. Had he been convicted on these charges, he could have faced a potential life sentence. Following the announcement of the verdict, supporters gathered outside the courthouse to celebrate, and defense attorney Drew Findling stated that the artist was thankful for the outcome.

The trial also involved two co-defendants, David Lindsey and Deandre Wilson. While the jury acquitted them of the murder-for-hire charges, both men were convicted of conspiracy to commit stalking, stalking using a dangerous weapon, and stalking resulting in death. Attorneys for Wilson expressed gratitude that the jury cleared them of the murder-for-hire allegations and indicated they would challenge the remaining convictions.

Despite the acquittal, Banks remains in federal custody. He is currently scheduled to face a separate trial beginning on October 5, where he will defend himself against charges of racketeering, murder, and firearms offenses. These charges were severed from the initial trial, and federal prosecutors have stated they look forward to presenting their evidence in the upcoming proceedings.

Throughout the duration of the trial, the courtroom saw attendance from high-profile figures in the music industry, including Ye and Machine Gun Kelly. The proceedings also drew significant attention from content creators and fans who congregated outside the downtown Los Angeles courthouse. Banks, a Chicago native known for his success on the Billboard charts and collaborations with artists such as Drake and J Cole, has been jailed since his arrest in 2024.