12/09/2026
NEWS UPDATES | BOROUGH TV
LIL DURK FOUND NOT GUILTY IN MURDER-FOR-HIRE TRIAL
Away from Liberia โ September 12, 2026
Chicago rapper Lil Durk, born Durk Banks, has been found NOT GUILTY on all charges in the federal murder-for-hire case involving an alleged 2022 attack targeting rapper Quando Rondo.
A federal jury reached the verdict after approximately three weeks of trial and three days of deliberations. Prosecutors had alleged that Durk helped finance and organize a retaliatory attack connected to the 2020 killing of his friend and fellow rapper King Von. The 2022 shooting resulted in the death of Quando Rondo's cousin, Saviay'a โLul Pabโ Robinson.
Federal prosecutors alleged that Durk used his OTF connections and resources to arrange an attack against Quando Rondo.
The government argued that men connected to Durk traveled to Los Angeles, tracked Rondo and his associates, and carried out the attack. Prosecutors presented testimony from people connected to the alleged operation and pointed to travel arrangements, communications and other evidence as part of their case.
Prosecutors also sought to use portions of Durk's music and related material as evidence concerning his state of mind.
One of the most discussed pieces of music evidence was โPissed Me Off." The prosecution characterized the song as relevant to the alleged retaliation following King Von's death. The judge allowed the song/video material to be presented to jurors.
Durk's defense strongly disputed the government's interpretation of the evidence.
His lawyers challenged the credibility of cooperating witnesses and argued that witnesses who had entered plea agreements had incentives to shift blame toward Durk.
The defense also argued that Kavon Grant, Durk's former assistant, had a much more significant role in organizing the attack than prosecutors acknowledged.
Durk's lawyers maintained that the government's case relied too heavily on cooperating witnesses and interpretations of rap lyrics rather than reliable proof that Durk ordered the shooting.
One of the government's important witnesses was Kacey Hester, also known as OTF Jam, who testified that he was involved in the attack.
Hester told the court that Durk asked questions about what happened during the shooting. The defense attacked Hester's credibility, arguing that his cooperation with prosecutors could benefit him when it came to his own legal situation.
Another major figure discussed during the trial was Kavon Grant, whose role became a major point of disagreement between the prosecution and defense.
After three days of deliberation, the federal jury found Lil Durk NOT GUILTY of the charges in the murder-for-hire case, including conspiracy, stalking resulting in death and murder-for-hire-related charges.
However, Durk is not being released from federal custody yet.
He still faces a separate federal racketeering case, with another trial scheduled for October 5, 2026, according to reports.
Lil Durk has been cleared of the murder-for-hire charges โ but his broader legal battle is not over.
This story remains developing.
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