Jury Deliberates Lil Durk Murder-for-Hire Trial

The jury began deliberations on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, in the federal murder-for-hire trial of rapper Lil Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks. Prosecutors allege that Banks orchestrated a revenge plot that led to the August 2022 shooting death of Saviaya Robinson, the cousin of rival rapper Tyquian Bowman, also known as Quando Rondo. The alleged attack, which occurred near Los Angeles' Beverly Center, was reportedly motivated by the 2020 killing of Banks' friend, rapper Dayvon King Von Bennett. Central to the prosecution's case are the testimonies of three cooperating witnesses, former associates of Banks, who stated he financed or directed the attack. These witnesses, including Kavon Grant (OTF Vonni), Kacey Hester (OTF Jam), and Keith Flacka Jones, admitted their involvement in the shooting and testified that Banks promised payment for the killing. Prosecutors also presented lyrics from Banks' songs and other evidence to suggest his state of mind and involvement in the alleged conspiracy. The defense, led by attorneys Drew Findling and Brian Steel, has argued that the government failed to prove Banks' direct involvement.