American rapper Lil Durk has been acquitted of five federal charges in a case involving a 2022 shooting in Los Angeles that killed the cousin of fellow rapper Quando Rondo.
The Grammy-winning rapper, whose real name is Durk Devontay Banks, was accused of arranging the attack against Rondo in retaliation for the 2020 killing of his close associate, rapper Dayvon “King Von” Bennett. The shooting took place at a petrol station in Los Angeles in August 2022.
Prosecutors said the attack was intended to kill Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Bowman. Rondo was not injured, but his cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, who was in the vehicle with him, was killed after gunmen opened fire.
The prosecution alleged that Banks offered money for Rondo’s killing and helped arrange the attack. Prosecutors also argued that pressure to avenge King Von’s death contributed to the alleged plot.
King Von was killed during an exchange of gunfire in Atlanta in 2020. A friend of Rondo was initially charged in connection with the killing, although the charges were later dropped. Rondo himself was not arrested or charged.
Banks’ defence rejected the prosecution’s case and argued that former associate Kavon Grant was responsible for arranging the attack, allegedly in an attempt to impress Banks.
After a three-week trial, a jury deliberated for three days before finding Banks not guilty of all five charges, including murder-for-hire resulting in death, conspiracy and stalking-related offences.
Two other defendants who stood trial alongside Banks, Deandre “OTF Dede” Wilson and David “Browneyez” Lindsey, were also acquitted of the murder-for-hire charges but convicted of stalking and conspiracy to commit stalking.
Despite his acquittal in the case, Banks remains in custody and is expected to face a separate trial on October 5 involving racketeering, murder and firearms charges.
His lawyer, Drew Findling, said Banks was “thankful” following the verdict. First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said prosecutors were disappointed with the outcome but would continue with the separate case.
Banks, 33, has released seven albums that reached the top five of the US Billboard chart since 2019 and has worked with artists including Drake and J Cole.
Ademide Adebayo
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