A federal jury cleared the rapper of all charges but he remains in strict police custody
On Friday, September 11, 2026, a federal jury found Lil Durk not guilty of all five charges tied to the 2022 death of Quando Rondo’s cousin. The trial lasted nearly three weeks. The rapper will remain in jail awaiting a separate RICO trial set for October.
Rapper Lil Durk has secured a massive legal victory in his federal murder-for-hire trial. A jury acquitted him on all five counts related to a fatal 2022 shooting.
The intense trial spanned almost three weeks. Jurors deliberated for three days before reaching their final decision on Friday, September 11, 2026. The verdict immediately brought the rapper to tears inside the courtroom.
An infographic breakdown revealed the specific three stalking charges the rapper faced. These included conspiracy to stalk Quando Rondo and stalking him with a deadly weapon.
The third count involved stalking resulting in the death of Lul Pab, who was Quando Rondo’s cousin. The government also brought two murder-for-hire charges against the star. These included conspiracy to commit murder for hire and the actual act of murder for hire.
Emotional Courtroom Scene
Legal journalist Nancy Dillon reported the intense courtroom reaction online. The verdict deeply moved the rapper and his entire family.
”Lil Durk was acquitted on all charges,” she wrote.
”He started crying as he heard the second “not guilty”,” the journalist noted.
”His wife India Royale, wrapped her arms around his mother in the second row,” she added.
”His mom was crying too,” the reporter tweeted.
Journalist Meghann Cuniff also documented the defining moments from inside the building. She detailed the specific outcomes for the rapper and his associates. Cuniff confirmed that Judge Fitzgerald presided over the final ruling.
”I went back into the courtroom and heard the judge’s final comments to the jury then saw him Judge Fitzgerald officially declare Durk acquitted,” she stated.
”The jury has found Durk NOT GUILTY on all charges,” she tweeted.
”Not guilty on everything for Durk,” the journalist added.
”It’s a complete acquittal,” she declared.
Government Claims and Defense Strategy
The government brought charges because they believed Durk orchestrated shooters to retaliate for King Von’s death. They claimed his intended target was actually Quando Rondo.
The shooting ultimately resulted in the death of Lul Pab instead. Co-defendants DeAndre Wilson and David Lindsey faced mixed results from the jury. They escaped the most severe penalties but still received convictions.
”Wilson and Lindsey were convicted of stalking and stalking conspiracy,” Cuniff revealed.
”Not guilty on murder for hire,” she clarified.
The defense argued the case lacked validity because co-defendants stated they never received payment. Lawyers also claimed cooperating witnesses only wanted to lessen their own jail time after entering guilty pleas.
They referenced a 2023 jail call to expose the true motives of witness OTF Jam. This crucial piece of evidence helped create reasonable doubt for the jury. Fans will now watch closely as Durk prepares for his October 2026 RICO trial.
”I’m going to do what I got to do, whatever it takes to make sure I don’t do no time,” OTF Jam said.
Despite this major victory, Durk will not walk free just yet. He currently faces a separate federal case involving the 2022 killing of Stephon Mack.
”He is not being released from jail because he has another trial for a RICO harge,” Cuniff confirmed.
”Going outside now, will update again soon,” she added.
