A federal jury in Los Angeles has acquitted rapper Lil Durk of murder-for-hire charges in connection with the attempted killing of rival rapper Quando Rondo. The 2022 shooting resulted in the death of Rondo’s cousin.
The jury deliberated for three days before reaching its verdict Friday, finding the 33-year-old artist not guilty of conspiracy, stalking resulting in death, and murder for hire. Lil Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, has remained in custody pending a separate trial on a racketeering count that was severed from this case.
Co-defendants Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey were convicted of conspiracy to commit stalking, stalking using a dangerous weapon, and stalking resulting in death. However, they were also acquitted of murder for hire.
Prosecutors had alleged that Banks paid to have Rondo killed after someone from Rondo’s entourage fatally shot rapper King Von, a close associate of Durk’s, at an Atlanta nightclub in 2020. The indictment claimed that in August 2022, a group of men traveled to Los Angeles with funds provided by Banks, followed Rondo and his crew, and that three gunmen fired upon Rondo’s vehicle. Rondo survived the attack, but his 24-year-old cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, also known as Lul Pab, was killed.
"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," said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli in a statement. "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."
Lil Durk, a Grammy-winning artist known for hits like the 2023 song “All My Life,” was arrested in 2024. Supporters, including musicians Machine Gun Kelly and Ye, attended portions of the two-week trial.