Rapper Lil Durk Acquitted of Murder-for-Hire Charges

Prosecutors accused the rapper of plotting to kill Atlanta rapper Tayquian Bowman in revenge for the 2020 shooting death of Lil Durk’s friend and fellow Chicago rapper King Von.

According to prosecutors, alleged members of Only the Family, Lil Durk’s record label and supposed criminal group, 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.

Kacey Hester, one of the prosecution witnesses, testified he took part in the shooting. Courthouse News reports that Hester said Lil Durk later asked him about what happened during the attack.

“Did somebody get hit? How many times did you shoot? What did you do?”

Lil Durk’s attorneys questioned Hester’s credibility, suggesting he had motivation to give testimony that could lead to a lighter sentence.

The defense also pointed to Kavon Grant, Lil Durk’s former assistant, as a potential key figure behind the shooting. Grant’s cousin had died after an altercation involving Bowman’s group.

Prosecutors dismissed the defense’s attempt to accuse Grant of orchestrating the attack, emphasizing Lil Durk’s leadership as 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 reached its verdict on Friday, concluding a high-profile case that drew notable attention at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse, including support from fans and celebrities.

Despite the verdict, Lil Durk faces another federal trial. He is scheduled to appear in court on October 5 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.