Lil Durk has been acquitted of murder-for-hire, and he is still not going home

Why Lil Durk is still in custody

The 33 year-old, whose real name is Durk Devontay Banks, faced five felony counts including murder for hire resulting in death, and conspiracy.

A conviction could have carried a life sentence. Supporters cheered outside the Los Angeles courthouse after a verdict that followed three days of jury deliberations, and defence lawyer Drew Findling said the rapper was thankful.

Because the verdict does not end his case. Banks remains in custody and faces a separate trial on 5 October on racketeering murder and firearms charges.

"While we are disappointed with the jury's decision regarding Durk Banks, a.k.a. 'Lil Durk,' we look forward to presenting our evidence at his second trial," First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said.

The case stemmed from a fatal shooting in August 2022 at a petrol station in Los Angeles.

A car carrying rival rapper Quando Rondo, real name Tyquian Bowman, was fired on.

Bowman was unharmed, but his cousin Saviay'a Robinson, who was also in the car, was killed.

Prosecutors accused Banks of plotting to kill Bowman in retaliation for the earlier murder of Chicago rapper King Von, who was signed to OTF.

Two co-defendants were tried alongside Banks over the three-week trial.

Deandre "OTF Dede" Wilson and David "Browneyez" Lindsey were convicted of stalking and conspiracy to commit stalking, but acquitted of the murder-for-hire charges.

The case relied on three co-operating witnesses who had reached plea deals.

Banks was arrested in 2024, having seven albums in the US Billboard chart's top five since 2019 and collaborations with Drake and J Cole, making him one of the more commercially significant figures in the state of hip hop right now.