Lil Durk’s defence lawyer has delivered a defiant message of support after jurors ended their second day of deliberations without reaching a verdict in the rapper’s federal murder-for-hire trial.
Speaking outside the Los Angeles courthouse, prominent attorney Drew Findling said he was “proud” to represent Durk, whose legal name is Durk Devontay Banks, and thanked supporters who gathered as the Grammy-winning artist awaited his fate.
Findling also declared that the defence team believes in Durk’s innocence and praised supporters for “putting sunshine on this system”.
Defence lawyer thanks Durk supporters
Findling addressed the crowd after court proceedings concluded without the jury announcing a decision.
“I feel proud to be representing Durk Banks,” he said, before thanking those who had assembled outside the courthouse.
LIL DURK:Upon leaving the courtroom on the second day of jury deliberations without a verdict, Drew Findling for the defense said he “feels proud” to be representing client Durk Banks. He told Durk supporters they are “putting sunshine on this system,” thanking the crowd and… pic.twitter.com/bqy4djIYXY
— Los Angeles Magazine (@LAmag) September 10, 2026
The lawyer’s reference to supporters “putting sunshine on this system” appeared to praise the public attention being directed towards the federal proceedings.
Durk has been held in custody since his arrest in South Florida in October 2024. He returned to court as jurors continued considering five charges, including murder-for-hire and stalking resulting in death.
He has pleaded not guilty to every count.
Jury continues considering five charges
Deliberations began on Wednesday, September 9, but jurors did not reach a verdict during their first two days.
The panel requested access to evidence in digital form before later asking the judge for clarification about what constitutes “intent” in relation to the stalking charges.
Such questions do not indicate whether jurors favour conviction or acquittal. They show only that the panel is reviewing the evidence and seeking guidance on the law before reaching a unanimous decision.
If convicted on the most serious charges, Durk could be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Federal prosecutors previously confirmed that they would not seek the death penalty.
Prosecutors allege revenge attack
The case arises from an August 2022 shooting in Los Angeles that killed Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson, the cousin of rapper Quando Rondo.
Prosecutors allege that Rondo was the intended target and that Durk arranged the attack in retaliation for the 2020 killing of his friend and fellow Chicago rapper King Von.
The government claims that members of Durk’s Only the Family collective tracked Rondo before opening fire on the vehicle carrying him and Robinson.
Durk’s lawyers argue that prosecutors have failed to connect him directly to the shooting. During closing arguments, the defence described the government’s case as overwhelmed by a “tsunami of reasonable doubt”.
Findling’s courthouse remarks reinforced the defence team’s position that Durk is innocent as the closely watched trial enters its decisive stage.
Until the jury returns a verdict, Durk and his co-defendants remain legally presumed innocent.
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