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Lil Durk Acquitted in Murder-for-Hire Trial Over Quando Rondo Attack
Confirmed
In Short: A Los Angeles jury found Lil Durk not guilty of all charges accusing him of orchestrating a murder-for-hire conspiracy that targeted Quando Rondo.
A Los Angeles jury found Lil Durk not guilty of all charges accusing him of orchestrating a murder-for-hire conspiracy that targeted Quando Rondo, according to reports. The trial, which lasted two weeks, saw prosecutors claim that Durk ordered his Only the Family (OTF) crew to murder Rondo in retaliation for the 2020 killing of his close friend and collaborator King Von.
Durk's defense team argued that the cooperating witnesses were lying and that Vonnie, who had access to Durk's credit cards as his personal assistant, was the real mastermind of the plot. '22 months ago, Durk and I made an agreement that we would make history with the greatest verdict in this country, and it happened today,' said Durk's attorney, Drew Findling, outside the courthouse following the verdict.
The defense also urged the jury not to give any weight to Durk's lyrics, saying his music is artistic expression tailored towards commercial appeal and does not reflect any literal plans or admissions. 'Durk is not guilty of all charges,' said Findling, adding, 'So now we work to get pull the shackles off.
Lil Durk's alleged co-conspirators, David 'Browneyez' Lindsey and Deandre 'OTF Dede' Wilson, were convicted of stalking and conspiracy but acquitted of murder-for-hire. The jury deliberated for three days before reaching the verdict.
Prosecutors claimed that Durk planned for a group of shooters to travel from Chicago to Los Angeles in 2022 and offered cash rewards for the attack, though no payments were ever completed. Defense attorneys argued that the cooperating witnesses were motivated by the prospect of shorter prison sentences in exchange for their testimony.
Lil Durk remains in custody, as he still faces an additional racketeering charge that accuses him of operating his OTF label as a violent gang. This count was excluded from the original trial and was added by prosecutors at the last minute.
The trial highlighted the complex nature of the case, with conflicting testimonies and a focus on Durk's lyrics as potential evidence of his involvement. Despite the acquittal, Durk's legal troubles are far from over.
What's confirmed
- A Los Angeles jury found Lil Durk not guilty of all charges accusing him of orchestrating a murder-for-hire conspiracy that targeted Quando Rondo, according to reports. The trial, which lasted two weeks, saw prosecutors claim that Durk ordered his Only the Family (OTF) crew to murder Rondo in retaliation for the 2020 killing of his close friend and collaborator King Von.
- Durk's defense team argued that the cooperating witnesses were lying and that Vonnie, who had access to Durk's credit cards as his personal assistant, was the real mastermind of the plot. '22 months ago, Durk and I made an agreement that we would make history with the greatest verdict in this country, and it happened today,' said Durk's attorney, Drew Findling, outside the courthouse following the verdict.
- The defense also urged the jury not to give any weight to Durk's lyrics, saying his music is artistic expression tailored towards commercial appeal and does not reflect any literal plans or admissions. 'Durk is not guilty of all charges,' said Findling, adding, 'So now we work to get pull the shackles off.
- Lil Durk's alleged co-conspirators, David 'Browneyez' Lindsey and Deandre 'OTF Dede' Wilson, were convicted of stalking and conspiracy but acquitted of murder-for-hire. The jury deliberated for three days before reaching the verdict.
- Prosecutors claimed that Durk planned for a group of shooters to travel from Chicago to Los Angeles in 2022 and offered cash rewards for the attack, though no payments were ever completed. Defense attorneys argued that the cooperating witnesses were motivated by the prospect of shorter prison sentences in exchange for their testimony.
- Lil Durk remains in custody, as he still faces an additional racketeering charge that accuses him of operating his OTF label as a violent gang. This count was excluded from the original trial and was added by prosecutors at the last minute.
- The trial highlighted the complex nature of the case, with conflicting testimonies and a focus on Durk's lyrics as potential evidence of his involvement. Despite the acquittal, Durk's legal troubles are far from over.
What's still developing
- 11) of murder-for-hire, stalking and conspiracy counts that could have subjected him to life in prison, Billboard confirmed.
- Hester testified that Banks discussed retaliation against Rondo and said anyone who carried it out would be taken care of financially.
- Jurors saw an unreleased “Redman” video filmed in 2021 showing Banks mourning King Von before a fictionalized shooting involving a character prosecutors argued represented Rondo.