Key facts
- Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk, real name Durk Devontay Banks, was acquitted Friday of federal murder-for-hire charges.
- Banks was accused of orchestrating the revenge killing of Tyquian Bowman's cousin, Saviay'a Robinson, in Los Angeles four years ago.
- Two co-defendants, Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey, were convicted of stalking and conspiracy to commit stalking.
- Wilson and Lindsey were acquitted of murder-for-hire charges.
- Banks faces a separate trial on October 5 for racketeering murder and firearms charges.
- Prosecutors alleged Banks plotted to kill Bowman in retaliation for the 2020 murder of Chicago rapper King Von.
Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk, whose real name is Durk Devontay Banks, was acquitted on Friday of all charges in a federal murder-for-hire case. The charges stemmed from accusations that he orchestrated the revenge killing of Tyquian Bowman's cousin, Saviay'a Robinson, who was shot dead in a daytime ambush in Los Angeles four years ago. Banks' defense lawyer, Drew Findling, stated that the recording artist was "thankful" following the verdict.
Despite the acquittal, Banks, 33, remains in custody and faces a separate trial on October 5 for racketeering murder and firearms charges. "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", said First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli.
During the three-week trial, two co-defendants, Deandre "OTF Dede" Wilson and David "Browneyez" Lindsey, were tried alongside Banks. They were convicted of stalking and conspiracy to commit stalking but acquitted of murder-for-hire charges, according to CBS News. The prosecution's case relied on three co-operating witnesses: Kavon "OTF Vonnie" Grant, Keith "Flacka" Jones, and Kacey "OTF Jam" Hester, who had reached plea deals and testified against the defendants.
The case originated from a fatal shooting in August 2022 at a Los Angeles petrol station. A car carrying Tyquian Bowman was shot at; Bowman was unharmed, but his cousin Saviay'a Robinson, who was also in the car, was killed. Federal prosecutors accused Banks of plotting to kill Bowman in retaliation for the 2020 murder of Chicago OTF rapper King Von, who was signed to Banks' label. King Von was killed in an exchange of gunfire in Atlanta. Authorities alleged Banks offered a bounty for Bowman's death, with prosecutors arguing he felt social media pressure to avenge King Von's killing. Banks founded OTF in 2010 and won the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance for his single "All My Life" featuring J Cole. He has received three other Grammy nominations.