LOS ANGELES — A federal jury in Los Angeles acquitted Lil Durk of all charges on Friday. The verdict cleared the rapper, whose legal name is Durk Devontay Banks, of conspiracy, stalking resulting in death, and murder for hire.

Co-defendants Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey faced different outcomes from the same jury. Wilson and Lindsey were convicted on charges of conspiracy to commit stalking, stalking using a dangerous weapon, and stalking resulting in death. Lindsey was identified by his nickname 'Browneyez' in court documents. The jury acquitted both men of murder-for-hire charges.

Lil Durk is a 33-year-old Grammy-winning rapper from Chicago and the founder of the hip-hop collective Only The Family, also known as OTF. He is known for his 2023 hit single 'All My Life,' which featured J. Cole. The track hit No. 2 on the Hot 100 and won a Grammy for best melodic rap performance. Quando Rondo pleaded guilty in 2024 to one count of conspiracy to possess and distribute marijuana in a separate federal drug case.

Prosecutors built their case on testimony from several cooperators. Keith Jones pleaded guilty to Robinson's murder and testified against Lil Durk, Wilson, and Lindsey. Kavon Grant, Lil Durk's former personal assistant, also pleaded guilty and testified that he obtained the weapons and stolen Infiniti used in the attack. Kasey Hester pleaded guilty and provided testimony against the defendants as well.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Yanniello argued that Lil Durk orchestrated the violence through his influence. "Defendant Banks used his money, his power, and his influence to try to kill his biggest opp: Quando Rondo," Yanniello stated. He added that while Durk was not the shooter, the act did not make sense without his leadership. "No one is saying he was the one on the ground with a gun, but [the shooting] doesn't make sense without his leadership," Yanniello said.

Defense attorneys challenged the credibility of the government's witnesses. Defense attorney Brian Steel characterized them as individuals seeking leniency. "They are snitches, cooperators, rats. They are getting a potential benefit, and the only way they benefit is if they include Durk," Steel stated.

Defense attorney Drew Findling described the prosecution's theory as lacking factual support. "This is the bounty case with no money, the stalking case with no stalking," Findling stated. He further argued that the evidence presented created overwhelming uncertainty for the jury. "This case is flooded. It is a tsunami of reasonable doubt," Findling stated.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli addressed the convictions of the co-defendants. "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," Essayli stated. Regarding Lil Durk's acquittal, Essayli noted the government's intention to proceed with other charges. "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, scheduled for October 5, when he will face racketeering murder and firearms charges," he stated.

Lil Durk will remain in custody for a separate federal racketeering trial scheduled for October 5. Deandre Wilson's attorney, Craig Harbaugh, commented on the partial verdict for his client. Harbaugh said, 'We thank the jury for seeing there was no murder for hire,' and expressed confidence that the remaining counts would not survive their pending motion for acquittal.

Why It Matters

The case shows the complex legal dynamics surrounding high-profile figures in the music industry and allegations of violent retaliation. Prosecutors alleged the shooting was retaliation for the 2020 killing of rapper Dayvon Bennett, known as King Von. King Von was killed in Atlanta in 2020. The acquittal of Lil Durk on the most serious charges contrasts with the convictions of his associates for stalking-related offenses.

The proceedings involved multiple guilty pleas from associates who testified against the defendants. The outcome demonstrates the challenges prosecutors face when relying on cooperators to prove conspiracy and murder-for-hire charges against a central figure who did not physically commit the violent act. The separate racketeering trial scheduled for October 5 indicates that federal authorities continue to pursue significant charges against Lil Durk.

Timeline

King Von was killed in Atlanta in 2020. The charges stemmed from a shooting on August 19, 2022, near the Beverly Center in Los Angeles. On that date, gunmen fired at least 18 rounds at Tyquian Bowman's vehicle during the shooting.

Saviay'a Robinson, the 24-year-old cousin of Tyquian Bowman, was killed in the shooting. Tyquian Bowman survived the shooting.

What's New

Additional reporting confirms that a federal jury in Los Angeles found rapper Lil Durk not guilty of conspiracy, stalking resulting in death, and murder for hire related to a 2022 shooting that targeted rapper Tyquian Bowman, whose cousin Saviay’a Robinson was killed. Court documents identify David Lindsey, one of Lil Durk's co-defendants, by his nickname 'Browneyez' and note his conviction of conspiracy to commit stalking and stalking resulting in death. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated, "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." Defense attorney Drew Findling stated, "This is the bounty case with no money, the stalking case with no stalking." Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey were convicted on charges of conspiracy to commit stalking, stalking using a dangerous weapon, and stalking resulting in death. According to court testimony, the 2022 shooting involved three gunmen firing 18 rounds at Tyquian Bowman's vehicle, resulting in the death of his 24-year-old cousin, Saviay’a Robinson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Yanniello stated, "No one is saying he was the one on the ground with a gun, but [the shooting] doesn't make sense without his leadership."