Lil Durk Acquitted of Murder Charges, Remains in Custody

CHICAGO rapper Lil Durk was acquitted Friday of all five charges in a federal murder-for-hire trial, but his release from custody is not immediate. A federal jury in Los Angeles delivered the not guilty verdict after three days of deliberations.

The case stemmed from a 2022 shooting that killed Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson, the cousin of rapper Quando Rondo. Prosecutors alleged that Lil Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks, financed and ordered the attack in retaliation for the 2020 killing of King Von. Banks's defense argued that a former assistant orchestrated the shooting to impress the rapper.

Despite the acquittal, Banks remains in federal custody awaiting a separate trial scheduled to begin Oct. 5. That trial involves racketeering and firearms charges, according to Reuters.

Following the verdict, Banks posted on social media thanking his legal team, family and supporters. "Against all odds, we’re stronger together," he wrote. "Allah doesn’t make mistakes. I feel all the love and positive energy. Now let me be free to help save our kids and bring unity back to our communities."

The rapper's father, Dontay “Big Durk” Banks, expressed joy outside the courthouse. "I’m bursting with joy, and I can barely contain my happiness," he told reporters, also offering condolences to Robinson’s family.

Rival rapper 6ix9ine mocked Banks on social media, posting, "How come you still locked up right now I don’t get it if you won? Someone explain. #freedom." 6ix9ine previously referenced the deaths of King Von and Dontay “DThang” Banks in a video mocking Durk.

The jury found Banks not guilty of charges including conspiracy to commit stalking, stalking using a dangerous weapon, stalking resulting in death, conspiracy to use interstate commerce facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death, and use of interstate commerce facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death. Banks's legal team identified former assistant Kavon Grant as responsible for the shooting.

The jury's decision brought emotional reactions in the courtroom, with Banks seen wiping tears from his face after the second not-guilty finding. While the acquittal marks a legal victory, Banks's fight for freedom continues as he prepares for the Oct. 5 trial.