Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk was acquitted on Friday of all charges in a federal murder-for-hire case. The Chicago rapper, whose real name is Durk Devontay Banks, was accused of orchestrating the revenge killing of a man shot dead in a daytime ambush in Los Angeles four years ago.
Mr Banks was arrested in 2024 and faced five felony counts, including murder for hire resulting in death and conspiracy. Defence lawyer Drew Findling stated that the recording artist was "thankful" following the verdict, which came after three days of jury deliberations.
Despite the acquittal in this case, Mr Banks remains in custody and is scheduled for a separate trial on 5 October. He will face racketeering murder and firearms charges at this upcoming trial. First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said 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."
The trial, which lasted three weeks, also saw two co-defendants, Deandre "OTF Dede" Wilson and David "Browneyez" Lindsey, convicted of stalking and conspiracy to commit stalking. However, they were acquitted of murder-for-hire charges. The case stemmed from a fatal shooting in August 2022 at a petrol station in Los Angeles, where Saviay'a Robinson, cousin of rival rapper Quando Rondo, was killed.