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Lil Durk trial
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The gist
Lil Durk's murder-for-hire trial nears jury after defense calls 9 witnesses.
The verdict will decide if the rapper orchestrated a revenge killing.
Background
Lil Durk, born Durk Banks, is accused of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot targeting rival rapper Quando Rondo in retaliation for the 2020 killing of King Von. The 2022 shooting at a gas station in Los Angeles killed Saviay'a Robinson, Rondo's cousin, instead. The trial began on August 24, 2026, and both sides have rested their cases, with closing arguments scheduled for Tuesday.
How it unfolded
- Aug 19, 2022Shooting at a gas station near Beverly Center kills Saviay'a Robinson; Quando Rondo survives.
- Aug 24, 2026Trial begins in Los Angeles federal court.
- Sep 1, 2026Former assistant testifies that Lil Durk reacted to the shooting with 'Finally, we got somebody.'
- Sep 4, 2026Defense calls nine witnesses in one day, including the wife of a government witness; both sides rest.
- Sep 8, 2026Jury deliberations expected to begin after closing arguments.
Who’s saying what
- Prosecution
- Lil Durk orchestrated a revenge hit on Quando Rondo, financing and ordering the shooting that killed Robinson.
- Defense
- Lil Durk is a scapegoat; his former assistant Kavon Grant was the actual mastermind behind the plot.
Still unverified
Defense allegations that former assistant Kavon Grant was the real orchestrator are disputed by prosecutors.