United States rapper, Durk Banks, popularly known as Lil Durk, has been found not guilty of all charges in a federal murder-for-hire case linked to a 2022 shooting that left a man dead.
The rapper had been accused by prosecutors of arranging a plot to kill Atlanta rapper Tayquian Bowman in retaliation for the 2020 shooting death of Lil Durk’s friend and fellow Chicago rapper King Von.
According to prosecutors, alleged associates of Only the Family, Lil Durk’s record label and alleged criminal enterprise, followed Bowman to a gas station in West Hollywood in 2022 before opening fire on his vehicle. Bowman’s cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, was killed during the attack.
One of the prosecution witnesses, Kacey Hester, testified that he had participated in the shooting. According to Courthouse News, Hester said Lil Durk later questioned him about what happened during the attack.
“Did somebody get hit? How many times did you shoot? What did you do?”
Lil Durk’s lawyers challenged Hester’s credibility, arguing that he had an incentive to provide testimony that could help him secure a lighter sentence.
The defence also pointed to Kavon Grant, Lil Durk’s former assistant, as a possible key figure behind the shooting. Grant’s cousin had died following an altercation involving Bowman’s entourage.
Prosecutors rejected the defence’s attempt to portray Grant as the person responsible for orchestrating the attack, arguing that Lil Durk’s alleged leadership was central to the case.
“No one is saying he was the one on the ground with a gun in his hand in Los Angeles, but you know this story doesn’t happen without him, and it doesn’t make sense without his leadership,” assistant US attorney Ian Yanniello reportedly said.
The federal jury returned its verdict on Friday, ending a closely followed case that attracted significant attention at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse, including support from fans and celebrities.
Despite the acquittal, Lil Durk still faces another federal trial. He is scheduled to appear in court on 5 October over racketeering murder and firearms charges.
“While we are disappointed with the jury’s decision regarding Durk Banks, AKA Lil Durk, we look forward to presenting our evidence at his second trial, scheduled for 5 October, when he will face racketeering murder and firearms charges,” said first assistant US attorney Bill Essayli.
(The Guardian UK)