Chicago rapper Lil Durk was found not guilty Friday on all charges in his federal murder-for-hire trial, ending a closely watched case that could have sent the Grammy Award-winning artist to prison for life.
A Los Angeles jury acquitted Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, after hearing approximately two weeks of testimony and deliberating for three days. The 33-year-old rapper had pleaded not guilty to charges that included conspiracy, stalking, murder-for-hire resulting in death and firearms offenses.
Federal prosecutors accused Banks of financing a retaliatory attack against rapper Tyquian “Quando Rondo” Bowman following the November 2020 killing of Dayvon “King Von” Bennett, a close friend and member of Banks’ Only the Family music collective.
Bowman survived the Aug. 19, 2022, shooting at a gas station near the Beverly Center in Los Angeles. His 24-year-old cousin, Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson, was struck and killed when gunmen fired at least 18 rounds into their vehicle.
Prosecutors argued that Banks used money and resources connected to Only the Family to help associates travel from Chicago to California. Evidence presented during the trial included flight arrangements, hotel reservations and purchases allegedly made with a credit card connected to Banks.
Several cooperating witnesses testified for the government, including men who admitted participating in the attack. Prosecutors alleged that Banks had offered a large financial reward for Bowman’s death. The defense challenged the witnesses’ credibility, emphasizing that they were seeking favorable treatment from prosecutors and that no witness testified that Banks personally participated in the shooting.
Banks’ attorneys also argued that prosecutors improperly treated his music and public persona as evidence of criminal intent. Jurors heard selected songs, watched videos and reviewed other communications that prosecutors said reflected Banks’ state of mind following Bennett’s death. The defense maintained that lyrics and artistic expression did not establish that he ordered or financed a killing.
Banks was arrested near Miami International Airport in October 2024 and had remained in federal custody after being denied bond. His case drew national attention and attracted supporters to the federal courthouse, including several prominent entertainers.
Friday’s verdict applies to the charges considered in the Los Angeles murder-for-hire trial. Separate federal racketeering charges added in 2026 were severed from the case before trial and were not decided by this jury.
Immediately following the verdict, federal authorities had not publicly confirmed whether Banks would be released or remain in custody because of the separate case. The verdicts involving co-defendants Deandre “DeDe” Wilson and David “Browneyez” Lindsey also were not immediately clear in early reports.
This is a developing story and will be updated as additional court information becomes available.