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Lil Durk Acquitted in 2022 Los Angeles Murder-for-Hire Case
A jury in Los Angeles found rapper Lil Durk not guilty in a federal murder-for-hire case.
Prosecutors said he helped arrange an attack against rapper Quando Rondo.
They said the attack was meant to avenge the death of Durk’s friend, King Von.
The shooting happened near the Beverly Center in August 2022.
Rondo’s cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, was killed instead.
Lawyers for Durk said he was not involved and questioned the government’s witnesses.
Three cooperating witnesses testified for prosecutors.
Two other defendants were convicted of stalking-related crimes but not murder-for-hire.
Durk remains in custody because he faces another trial on separate charges.
A Los Angeles federal jury acquitted Lil Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks, of all charges in the murder-for-hire case.
Prosecutors alleged Banks ordered and financed an attack targeting rapper Quando Rondo as revenge for King Von’s death.
The August 2022 ambush near Los Angeles’s Beverly Center killed Rondo’s cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, instead of the intended target.
The prosecution relied heavily on testimony from three cooperating witnesses, while defense lawyers challenged their credibility and motives.
Co-defendants Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey were acquitted of murder-for-hire charges but convicted of stalking-related offenses; Banks remains in custody awaiting a separate trial.
- Who
- Rapper Lil Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks, was acquitted; the case also involved Quando Rondo, Saviay’a Robinson, King Von, Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey.
- What
- A federal jury acquitted Banks of murder-for-hire, conspiracy and stalking resulting in death charges connected to Robinson’s 2022 killing.
- Where
- The shooting occurred near the Beverly Center in Los Angeles, California, and the trial was held at the downtown Los Angeles federal courthouse.
- When
- The shooting occurred in August 2022, and the acquittal was reported on September 12; a separate trial is scheduled for October 5.
- Why
- Prosecutors alleged the attack was retaliation for King Von’s death, while the defense denied Banks’s involvement and challenged cooperating witnesses’ credibility.
Prosecution’s Case
Defense’s Case
Banks’s alleged role
Prosecution’s Case
Prosecutors argued that Banks ordered, financed and led the attack targeting Quando Rondo, saying the shooting depended on his money, influence and leadership.
Defense’s Case
Defense lawyers maintained that Banks had nothing to do with the plot and argued that a former assistant may have ordered the attack to impress him.
Witness credibility
Prosecution’s Case
The prosecution relied on three cooperating witnesses, including Banks’s former assistant, to connect him to the alleged plot.
Defense’s Case
Defense attorneys called the witnesses unreliable and argued that they were seeking lighter sentences; Drew Findling specifically accused Kavon Grant of manipulating investigators and prosecutors.
Purpose and outcome of the attack
Prosecution’s Case
Prosecutors said the attack was a revenge plot aimed at Quando Rondo after King Von was killed by an associate of Rondo in Atlanta.
Defense’s Case
The defense disputed the evidence tying Banks to the attack, and the jury acquitted him of every charge in this case.
Key facts
- Defendant
- Lil Durk, also known as Durk Banks
- Verdict
- Acquitted of all charges in this federal murder-for-hire case
- Victim
- Saviay’a Robinson, Quando Rondo’s cousin
- Intended target
- Rapper Quando Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Bowman
- Location and date
- A gasoline station near the Beverly Center in Los Angeles, August 2022
- Prosecution witnesses
- Kacey Hester, Keith Jones and former assistant Kavon Grant
- Co-defendants
- Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey were acquitted of murder-for-hire charges but convicted of stalking-related offenses
- Other case
- Banks remains in custody and faces a separate trial on murder-related racketeering and weapons charges scheduled for October 5
Quotes
Ian Yanniello
Assistant United States Attorney who argued for the prosecution
“No one is saying he was the one on the ground with a gun in his hand in Los Angeles, but you know this story doesn’t happen without him, and it doesn’t make sense without his leadership”
livemint.com
Drew Findling
Defense attorney representing Lil Durk
“Grant has manipulated the people in this case; he has manipulated the FBI, the LAPD, and respectfully, has been manipulating the members of the US Attorney’s Office”
livemint.com
Sources
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