A federal jury has officially acquitted Lil Durk of charges stemming from an alleged plot to kill Georgia rapper Quando Rondo. The artist, who has been held in federal custody since 2024, faced serious allegations including conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit stalking, and stalking resulting in death. The acquittal marks a significant legal victory for the rapper, who has consistently maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.
The prosecution’s case centered on the theory that the Grammy-winning artist collaborated with five members of his Only the Family (OTF) collective to orchestrate an attack on Quando Rondo, born Tyquian Bowman. Prosecutors alleged the plot was an act of retaliation for the 2020 murder of Durk’s close associate, King Von. While Timothy “Lul Timm” Leeks was previously charged with the killing of King Von, those charges were ultimately dropped.
Legal Strategy and Testimony
The government’s case relied heavily on the testimony of Durk’s former associates, who had previously entered guilty pleas. A point of contention throughout the trial was the prosecution’s attempt to introduce Durk’s lyrics as evidence of his state of mind. While Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald permitted the inclusion of specific lyrics referencing the aftermath of King Von’s death, the tactic faced significant criticism from First Amendment advocates and industry peers.
During the trial, Kavon Grant, known as OTF Vonnie, testified that Durk had promised financial compensation for the murder of Bowman. Conversely, the defense team—led by Brian Steel, who also represented Young Thug in the YSL trial—argued that the government’s witnesses were unreliable individuals motivated by a desire to avoid life sentences. Kacey Hester, also known as OTF Jam, admitted to trailing Bowman and participating in the ambush at a gas station, an incident that resulted in the death of Bowman’s cousin, Saviay’a Tilal “Lul Pab” Robinson. Hester claimed, “It’s Durk’s fault. Durk put us in the situation.”
Next Steps in Legal Proceedings
Despite this acquittal, Lil Durk remains in federal custody. He is currently awaiting a separate trial concerning racketeering charges that were severed from the initial case. First assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli expressed disappointment regarding the jury’s verdict but confirmed that the government intends to proceed with its evidence in the upcoming trial, which is scheduled for October 5.