A verdict Hip Hop spent three days waiting for brought a complete acquittal for Lil Durk on Friday. Jurors found the Chicago rapper not guilty of all five charges he faced: conspiracy to commit stalking, stalking using a dangerous weapon, stalking resulting in death, conspiracy to use interstate commerce facilities in a murder-for-hire resulting in death, and using interstate commerce facilities in a murder-for-hire resulting in death. It's reported that Durk was seen wiping away his tears when he learned of his fate.
Journalist Meghann Cuniff, who has been covering the trial from the courtroom, reported that the jury acquitted Durk on every count. His co-defendants Deandre “OTF DeDe” Wilson and David “Browneyez” Lindsey were convicted of stalking and stalking conspiracy but found not guilty of murder-for-hire.
Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, had maintained his innocence as prosecutors accused him of financing and directing a 2022 plot to kill Quando Rondo. Rondo survived the Los Angeles shooting, while his cousin Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson was killed. Additionally, while this is a celebratory moment for Durk and his supporters, the rapper will reportedly remain incarcerated as he fights a racketeering case. Prosecutors allege OTF operated as a criminal enterprise tied to violence and other illegal activity, allegations Durk has denied. That case was severed from the murder-for-hire trial and will reportedly make its way to court on October 5.
Read More: Lil Durk Found Not Guilty On All Counts
Hip Hop Reacts To Lil Durk’s Acquittal
DJ Akademiks was livestreaming as the verdict came down and appeared stunned when he learned Durk had beaten every charge. Akademiks became an unexpected part of the trial itself after prosecutors used a clip from his 2023 interview with Durk during closing arguments, making his live reaction one of the more fitting responses to the news.
G Herbo and Doe Boy both shared videos celebrating the acquittal, joining a wave of Durk’s peers who had followed the trial as deliberations stretched into a third day. Drake kept his response simple, sharing a selfie with Durk to his Instagram Story. 21 Savage did the same with a photo of the two rappers together. Ye reposted news of the not-guilty verdict, while Meek Mill, who publicly defended Durk during the trial, reacted with a string of praying hands emojis.
Young Thug offered one of the more cryptic responses, writing, “Thank me later.” Cordae turned his attention toward Durk’s defense team by comparing attorney Brian Steel to famed defense lawyer Johnnie Cochran. 50 Cent also praised Durk's attorney Drew Findling following the verdict.
The acquittal closes the murder-for-hire case against Durk after prosecutors spent weeks arguing that he financed and directed the 2022 attack targeting Quando Rondo. His legal situation is not completely over, however. Separate racketeering charges added earlier this year were severed from this trial in July and remain pending. (Complex)
For Friday evening, though, the response throughout Hip Hop was centered on the five words Durk’s supporters had been waiting to hear: not guilty on all counts.
