Grammy-winning American rapper Lil Durk has been acquitted of all charges in a federal murder-for-hire case in the United States, but he will remain in custody as he prepares to face another criminal trial in October.
The Chicago-born rapper, whose real name is Durk Devontay Banks, had been accused of arranging the 2022 killing of Saviay’a Robinson, the cousin of rival rapper Quando Rondo, in Los Angeles.
A jury returned its verdict on Friday after three days of deliberations, clearing the 33-year-old rapper of five felony charges, including murder for hire resulting in death and conspiracy. A conviction could have resulted in a life sentence.
His defence lawyer, Drew Findling, said Banks was “thankful” following the verdict, while supporters gathered outside the Los Angeles courthouse to celebrate the outcome.
Prosecutors had alleged that Banks organised the attack as retaliation for the 2020 killing of rapper King Von, who was signed to Banks’ Only the Family (OTF) record label.
The August 2022 incident took place at a petrol station in Los Angeles, where a vehicle carrying Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Bowman, came under gunfire. Bowman survived the attack, but his cousin Robinson was killed.
Prosecutors alleged that Banks had offered a bounty for anyone who killed Bowman, arguing that the rapper was under pressure from social media to avenge King Von’s death.
The prosecution’s case relied heavily on evidence and testimony from three cooperating witnesses who had entered plea agreements with prosecutors.
Two co-defendants, Deandre “OTF Dede” Wilson and David “Browneyez” Lindsey, were also acquitted of the murder-for-hire charges. However, both were convicted of stalking and conspiracy to commit stalking.
Despite being cleared in the murder-for-hire case, Banks remains in custody because of a separate criminal case. He is scheduled to face racketeering, murder and firearms charges at another trial beginning October 5.
First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said prosecutors were disappointed by the verdict but confirmed that they would continue with the second trial.
Banks founded OTF in 2010 and went on to become one of the prominent figures in Chicago’s rap scene. Since 2019, he has released seven albums that reached the top five of the US Billboard chart.
He won the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance for “All My Life”, featuring J. Cole, and has received three additional Grammy nominations.
Source: AFP
