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Lil Durk Acquitted in Murder-for-Hire Trial, Faces New Charges
Confirmed
In Short: Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk was acquitted of murder-for-hire charges but remains in custody, facing additional racketeering and firearms charges.
Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk was acquitted on Friday of all charges in a federal murder-for-hire case, according to reports. The Chicago-based artist, whose real name is Durk Devontay Banks, expressed gratitude following the verdict, stating, '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.
However, Lil Durk remains in custody and is set to face a separate trial on October 5, where he will face racketeering murder and firearms charges. The trial, which lasted three weeks, relied on testimony from three co-operating witnesses, Kavon "OTF Vonnie" Grant, Keith "Flacka" Jones, and Kacey "OTF Jam" Hester, who reached plea deals and testified against Banks, Deandre "OTF Dede" Wilson, and David "Browneyez" Lindsey.
While Lil Durk was found not guilty, his co-defendants Wilson and Lindsey were convicted of stalking and conspiracy to commit stalking but acquitted of murder-for-hire charges. The trial was a significant event in the hip-hop world, with support from fellow artists and producers like Swizz Beatz and Moneybagg Yo, who commented, 'alhamudlilah,' Arabic for 'all praise due to Allah.
Despite the acquittal, Lil Durk's legal troubles are far from over. He is expected to remain in custody until the start of his second trial, which is scheduled for October 5. His attorney, Drew Findling, expressed, 'Being the voice of the voice was and is my honor. Love you and will not relent in the fight on your behalf.
What's confirmed
- Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk was acquitted on Friday of all charges in a federal murder-for-hire case, according to reports. The Chicago-based artist, whose real name is Durk Devontay Banks, expressed gratitude following the verdict, stating, '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.
- However, Lil Durk remains in custody and is set to face a separate trial on October 5, where he will face racketeering murder and firearms charges. The trial, which lasted three weeks, relied on testimony from three co-operating witnesses, Kavon "OTF Vonnie" Grant, Keith "Flacka" Jones, and Kacey "OTF Jam" Hester, who reached plea deals and testified against Banks, Deandre "OTF Dede" Wilson, and David "Browneyez" Lindsey.
- While Lil Durk was found not guilty, his co-defendants Wilson and Lindsey were convicted of stalking and conspiracy to commit stalking but acquitted of murder-for-hire charges. The trial was a significant event in the hip-hop world, with support from fellow artists and producers like Swizz Beatz and Moneybagg Yo, who commented, 'alhamudlilah,' Arabic for 'all praise due to Allah.
- Despite the acquittal, Lil Durk's legal troubles are far from over. He is expected to remain in custody until the start of his second trial, which is scheduled for October 5. His attorney, Drew Findling, expressed, 'Being the voice of the voice was and is my honor. Love you and will not relent in the fight on your behalf.
What's still developing
- Lil Durk is taking a break after stage explosion US rapper Lil Durk in shootout with intruders Man admits drugging and raping wife for 20 years Trump criticises AI boss who called for slowdown and says only guardrail needed is a 'smart president' I had 11 years of chemotherapy for a cancer I didn't have Why I'm doing a September reset and how you can create a new routine Heading off to uni?
- Lil Durk holding the Grammy Award he won for best melodic rap performance in 2024 Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk was acquitted on Friday of all charges in a federal murder-for-hire case accusing him of orchestrating the revenge killing of a man shot dead in a daytime ambush in Los Angeles four years ago.
- The Chicago rapper was arrested in 2024 and accused of involvement in a shooting that killed the cousin of rival rapper Quando Rondo.
- Lil Durk has had seven albums in the US Billboard chart's top five since 2019 and has also collaborated with stars including Drake and J Cole on hit singles.
- While the "Laugh Now Cry Later" MC was celebrating, viral rapper 6ix9ine was busy trolling him in the comments.
- The “Laugh Now Cry Later” MC was found not guilty on Friday (Sept. 11) of all charges accusing him or plotting a planned killing that targeted fellow rapper Quando Rondo, killing the rival rapper’s cousin.
- While Durk was acquitted, he remains in custody, as he still faces an additional racketeering charge accusing him of operating his OTF label as a violent gang tied to the 2022 shooting death of Stephon Mack; that trial is slated to begin on Oct. 5, meaning Durk will remain in lockup until that trial is over.
- His trial was headline news in the hip-hop world, spawning a legion of “Free Durk” T-shirts and drawing support from Ye (formerly Kanye West ) and mgk, who showed up to court to lend support to the MC.