LOS ANGELES (AP) — Verdict in Lil Durk’s Case

A federal jury in Los Angeles found rapper Lil Durk not guilty on Friday of attempted murder for hire involving rival rapper Quando Rondo at a gas station, a shooting incident that led to the death of Rondo’s cousin.

After deliberating for three days, the jury acquitted the 33-year-old Grammy-winning artist, known for his 2023 hit “All My Life,” of charges including conspiracy, stalking leading to death, and murder for hire.

Supporters of Durk, including musicians Machine Gun Kelly and Ye (formerly Kanye West), were present in the courtroom during the two-week trial. Outside, large crowds of fans, livestreamers, and content creators gathered in support.

While Durk was acquitted, his co-defendants Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey were found guilty on charges of conspiracy to commit stalking, stalking with a dangerous weapon, and stalking resulting in death. However, they were also acquitted of the murder for hire charge.

Wilson’s attorney, Craig Harbaugh, expressed gratitude for the jury’s verdict, noting, “We thank the jury for seeing there was no murder for hire. We are confident the remaining counts will not survive our pending motion for acquittal.”

Attorneys for both Durk and Lindsey did not respond immediately to requests for comments.

Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks, remains in custody as he awaits a separate trial on racketeering charges that were split from this case. He has been in jail since his arrest in 2024.

The prosecution accused Durk of orchestrating the hit on Rondo in retaliation for the fatal shooting of rapper King Von, a close friend, by someone from Rondo’s entourage in Atlanta in 2020.

According to prosecutors, in August 2022, a group of men flew to Los Angeles with money from Durk, tracked Rondo and his crew, and opened fire on Rondo’s Escalade near the Beverly Center shopping mall. Rondo survived the attack, but his 24-year-old cousin, Saviay’a Robinson (known as Lul Pab), was killed.

In a statement, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli remarked, “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. 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.”

Earlier that year, Durk won a Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance for his song “All My Life,” which features J. Cole. He has received nominations for three other Grammys and performed on Drake’s track “Laugh Now Cry Later.”