Two co-defendants face life in prison for stalking resulting in death
Grammy Award-winning rapper Lil Durk was acquitted Friday in federal court in Los Angeles of charges that he hired a crew to kill a rival rapper as revenge for the 2020 slaying of his close associate, the rapper known as King Von.
Durk Banks, 33, faced life in prison if convicted. The jury deliberated for three days before returning the verdict acquitting him of murder-for-hire on Friday, according to United Press International. Banks cried as the verdict was read, UPI reported, citing Courthouse News.
Two other defendants in the case, Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey, were acquitted of murder-for-hire but convicted of stalking resulting in death, UPI reported. Both face life in prison.
Prosecutors said Banks ordered a hit on Tyquian Bowman, the rapper known as Quando Rondo, as revenge for the 2020 killing of Dayvon Bennett, the rapper known as King Von. According to the prosecution, Banks paid for flights and ski masks for a group of men to target Bowman and offered a cash reward for the killing.
Robinson was killed during the 2022 attempt to shoot Bowman in Los Angeles, UPI reported. Bowman had been involved in a fight that resulted in Bennett’s death, according to the wire service.
Banks was arrested in Miami on Oct. 24, 2024, as he attempted to board a private plane to Italy, the wire service reported. He had booked three international flights. Banks was held in Florida without bond and later transferred to Los Angeles.
Lil Durk won a Grammy Award in 2024 for best melodic rap performance for his song “All My Life,” UPI reported.