Lil Durk Jury Ends Second Day Of Deliberations Without A Verdict

BY Erika Marie
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May 2, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago rapper Lil Durk throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports USA TODAY Sports
The wait continues for Lil Durk as jurors prepare for another day of deliberations in his federal murder-for-hire case.

A second day of deliberations has ended without a verdict in Lil Durk’s federal murder-for-hire trial, extending the wait over a case Hip Hop has been watching closely for weeks. Jurors left the Los Angeles federal courthouse Thursday without announcing a decision for Durk or his two co-defendants.

Deliberations began Wednesday (Sept. 9) after closing arguments wrapped the previous day. Prosecutors accuse Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, of helping organize a 2022 plot to kill Quando Rondo. Rondo survived the shooting near the Beverly Center, while his cousin Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson was killed. Durk has pleaded not guilty.

The jury is considering five federal counts, including conspiracy to commit stalking and murder-for-hire charges stemming from Robinson’s death. Co-defendants Deandre “OTF DeDe” Wilson and David “Browneyez” Lindsey have also pleaded not guilty.

Read More: Lil Durk Verdict: DJ Akademiks Gives His Prediction As Jury Deliberates

Lil Durk Jury Spends Another Day Reviewing The Case

Jurors signaled early that they intended to take another look at the evidence. On Wednesday, they asked for digital copies of materials admitted during the trial, delaying deliberations while the court prepared them for review. As we previously reported, the judge said the requested evidence would be available Thursday (Sept. 10) morning.

That request gave the jury access to a substantial record, including messages, photographs, and video evidence presented during the weeks-long trial. Prosecutors also relied on testimony from cooperating witnesses who claimed Durk was behind the alleged plan. His defense attacked their credibility and argued the government had failed to connect him to an agreement to kill Rondo.

The jury began its work after another dispute over Durk’s 2023 interview with DJ Akademiks. Prosecutors played part of the Off The Record conversation during closing arguments while discussing public calls for retaliation after King Von’s death. Durk’s attorneys later asked U.S. District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald to reopen the evidence so jurors could hear more of the interview, arguing that prosecutors had presented the clip without its proper context. Fitzgerald denied the request.

Deliberations are expected to continue Friday (Sept. 11), with Durk remaining in federal custody while the jury considers its verdict.

Read More: 6ix9ine Trolls Lil Durk With "Laugh Now Cry Later" Lyrics Ahead Of Jury Deliberations

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming the Co-Head of Original Content. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, and Amy Luciani—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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