Grammy-winning US rapper Lil Durk acquitted in murder-for-hire trial

Grammy‑winning US rapper Lil Durk acquitted in murder‑for‑hire trial A federal jury found Grammy‑winning rapper Lil Durk not guilty on Friday of all charges in a murder‑for‑hire case that accused him of arranging the revenge killing of a man shot dead in a daytime ambush outside a Los Angeles gas station four years ago. The Chicago artist, whose legal name is Durk Devontay Banks, was arrested in 2024 after prosecutors alleged he orchestrated the shooting that killed Saviay’a Robinson, the relative of rival rapper Quando Rondo (Tyquian Bowman). Bowman was unharmed in the August 2022 attack. Defense counsel Drew Findling said Banks was “thankful” following the verdict. Lil Durk has placed seven albums in the top five of the US Billboard chart since 2019 and has recorded hit singles with Drake and J Cole. Supporters gathered outside the Los Angeles courthouse after the decision, which followed three days of jury deliberations. The 33‑year‑old faced five felony counts, including murder for hire resulting in death and conspiracy. A conviction could have carried a life sentence. Although Banks was cleared of the murder‑for‑hire charges, he remains in custody and will appear in a separate proceeding on 5 October on racketeering and firearms allegations. First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli commented, “While we are disappointed with the jury's determination regarding Durk Banks, a.k.a. 'Lil Durk,' we look forward to presenting our case at his second trial.” The three‑week trial also featured co‑defendants Deandre “OTF Dede” Wilson and David “Browneyez” Lindsey, who were convicted of stalking and conspiracy to commit stalking but acquitted of the murder‑for‑hire counts. Prosecution relied on three cooperating witnesses—Kavon “OTF Vonnie” Grant, Keith “Flacka” Jones and Kacey “OTF Jam” Hester—who entered plea deals and testified against Banks, Wilson and Lindsey. The case stems from the fatal shooting at a Los Angeles gas station in August 2022, when a car carrying Bowman was fired upon. Bowman escaped injury, but his relative Robinson was killed. Federal prosecutors alleged Banks plotted to kill Bowman in retaliation for the 2020 killing of Chicago OTF rapper King Von, who was signed to Durk’s label. Von died during an early‑morning gunfire exchange in Atlanta. A person linked to Bowman was initially charged in King Von’s murder, but those charges were later dropped; Bowman himself was never arrested or charged. Authorities said Banks had indicated he would “pay a bounty” for Bowman’s death, and prosecutors argued he felt pressure on social media to avenge Von’s killing. Banks founded the OTF collective in 2010. He won the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance for the single “All My Life” featuring J Cole and has received three additional Grammy nominations.