Following a legal proceeding that spanned just over two weeks, a Los Angeles jury has delivered a not guilty verdict for Lil Durk in his high-profile murder-for-hire trial. The Chicago artist was cleared of all charges brought against him during the court proceedings, which concluded on the evening of Friday, Sept. 11.
While the jury cleared the 33-year-old rapper, the outcome for his co-defendants, Deandre Dontrell Wilson and David Brian Lindsey, was mixed. Both men were found guilty of stalking and conspiracy to commit stalking, though they were acquitted of the murder-for-hire charge. Despite his acquittal, Lil Durk will not be released from custody, as he continues to face separate pending charges related to a RICO case.
Reports from the courtroom indicated an emotional scene as the verdict was read. Lil Durk was observed becoming tearful, while his wife, India Royale, comforted his mother, who was also visibly moved by the decision.
The jury reached their conclusion after approximately eight hours of deliberation spread across three days. The process involved a deep dive into the evidence, with jurors even requesting a comprehensive digital review of the materials presented. During their second day of discussion, the panel sought further clarification regarding the legal definitions of intent and specific jury instructions related to the conspiracy to commit stalking charge.
The case stemmed from an October 2024 arrest in South Florida, where prosecutors alleged that the rapper had orchestrated a plot to kill Quando Rondo in 2022. While the alleged target survived, the incident resulted in the death of Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson, a cousin of Rondo. The prosecution contended that the operation was an act of retaliation following the 2020 killing of King Von in Atlanta.
Throughout the trial, which featured testimony from several cooperating witnesses including Kacey “OTF Jam” Hester, Kavon Grant, and Keith Jones, the defense worked to distance the rapper from the specific actions of his associates. Marissa Goldberg, representing the artist, argued that the responsibility for the plot lay with personal assistant Vonnie, who had previously pleaded guilty and agreed to testify for the government.
The trial drew significant attention, with family members, peers, and supporters—including G Herbo, Dreezy, Doodie Lo, and MGK—appearing in court to show their solidarity.