Los Angeles federal jury found Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk not guilty of murder-for-hire, conspiracy and stalking resulting in death charges related to the 2022 killing of Saviay’a Robinson. Prosecutors alleged Durk directed hit men to target rapper Quando Rondo in retaliation for the death of King Von.
The jury acquitted Durk Banks, known professionally as Lil Durk, on Friday, according to the Los Angeles Times. The charges stemmed from the fatal shooting of Saviay’a Robinson at the Beverly Center shopping mall in Los Angeles. Prosecutors claimed three gunmen fired 18 rounds at the vehicle carrying Robinson and Quando Rondo, born Tyquian Bowman.
Prosecutors argued Durk directed the shooting as revenge for the 2020 death of his friend, Dayvon Bennett, also known as King Von, who was fatally shot after a scuffle with Bowman outside an Atlanta hookah lounge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Yanniello stated, “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,” adding that Durk “used his money, his power, and his influence to try to kill his biggest opp.”
Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey, also on trial, were convicted of conspiracy to commit stalking, stalking using a dangerous weapon, and stalking resulting in death, but were acquitted of the murder-for-hire charges. Wilson’s attorney claimed his client was merely a “passenger” during the shooting.
The defense, led by attorneys Brian Steel and Drew Findling, attacked the prosecution’s case, characterizing witnesses Kacey Hester (OTF Jam), Keith Jones, and Durk’s former assistant Kavon Grant as unreliable “snitches, cooperators, rats” motivated by leniency in their own cases. Findling argued Grant had “manipulated the people in this case…manipulated the FBI, the LAPD, and respectfully, has been manipulating the members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
Durk, 32, is a prominent figure in the Chicago drill music scene. His past five solo albums have debuted in the top five on the Billboard 200, and his 2023 single “All My Life” featuring J. Cole reached No. 2 on the Hot 100, winning a Grammy for best melodic rap performance earlier this year. The trial drew significant media attention, with fans and celebrities including Kanye West and MGK attending court.
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