Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk is awaiting his fate in a Los Angeles federal murder-for-hire trial as jurors continue a second day of deliberations over five serious charges that could see him imprisoned for life.
The Chicago artist, whose real name is Durk Devontay Banks, has pleaded not guilty to allegations that he orchestrated a 2022 revenge attack targeting fellow rapper Quando Rondo.
Rondo survived the shooting, but his cousin, Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson, 24, was killed near a Los Angeles petrol station.
Jurors seek clarification over intent
Deliberations began on Wednesday, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict before proceedings ended for the day.
Jurors asked the court to provide evidence in a digital format. The requested material was made available on Thursday morning, allowing deliberations to resume at about 8.30am in Los Angeles, equivalent to 11.30am Eastern Time.
About an hour later, the jury sent another note to the judge seeking clarification about the stalking charges. Jurors reportedly wanted further guidance on what legally constitutes “intent” and how the allegations apply to Durk and his co-defendants.
The questions do not indicate how the jury is leaning and are part of its effort to understand the law before reaching a verdict.
The panel returned from lunch to continue deliberating on Thursday afternoon. If no verdict is reached, the process is expected to resume on Friday.
Durk smiles and greets his lawyers
Court reporter Michael Blackshire said Durk returned to the courtroom for Thursday morning’s proceedings.
The rapper appeared relaxed and smiled as he shook hands with members of his legal team. He was also seen smiling after noticing his mother among those seated in the public gallery.
Durk has been held in federal custody since his arrest in South Florida in October 2024.
He faces five charges, including murder-for-hire and stalking resulting in death. If convicted on the most serious murder-for-hire counts, he could receive life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Federal prosecutors previously confirmed that they would not seek the death penalty.
Prosecutors allege revenge plot
Prosecutors allege that Durk arranged and financed an attempt to kill Quando Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Terrel Bowman, in retaliation for the November 2020 death of Durk’s friend and fellow rapper King Von.
Von, whose real name was Dayvon Bennett, was fatally shot following an altercation outside an Atlanta nightclub. An associate of Rondo was charged over the killing.
According to prosecutors, members of Durk’s Only the Family collective tracked Rondo to Los Angeles in August 2022 before opening fire on a vehicle carrying him and Robinson.
The government alleges that travel and accommodation connected to the operation were paid for using a credit card linked to Only the Family.
Durk’s lawyers maintain that he did not order or participate in the attack. His attorney, Marissa Goldberg, told the court: “He was not there. He had no connection to this case.”
The defence has argued that another man, Kavon Grant, was responsible. Grant, however, reportedly testified that he acted on Durk’s instructions, an allegation the rapper disputes.
Life sentence hangs over verdict
Durk won his first Grammy Award in 2024 for All My Life, his collaboration with J. Cole, shortly before the criminal case transformed his life and career.
He is regarded as one of the most prominent artists to emerge from Chicago’s drill music scene and founded the Only the Family collective.
A separate racketeering case is also expected to proceed regardless of the jury’s decision in the current trial, according to reports.
Until the jury delivers its verdict, Durk and his co-defendants remain legally presumed innocent of all charges.
Discover more from Daily Mast
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
