Lil Durk Accused of Hiring Hit on Quando Rondo for Revenge in Murder-for-Hire Trial Opening

During the opening day of Lil Durk's federal murder-for-hire trial, a prosecutor informed the jury that the Chicago rapper allegedly placed a bounty on rival Quando Rondo, driven by a desire for "revenge" following the murder of fellow artist King Von.

The trial commenced in the Downtown Los Angeles federal courthouse with opening statements. The charges against the rapper, whose legal name is Durk Banks, allege that he instructed members of his Only the Family (OTF) label to assassinate Rondo as retaliation for Von's death in 2020. Quando Rondo was shot at a Los Angeles gas station in 2022 but survived, though another individual, known as Lul Pab, was killed during the incident. Durk and several others face charges including conspiracy, stalking, and murder-for-hire.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Weiner presented the prosecution's case, stating that Durk financed flights for numerous OTF associates to travel from Chicago to Los Angeles with the explicit purpose of "tracking, stalking, hunting, and killing" Rondo. Weiner emphasized that "Mr. Banks used his wealth and his purse strings to put pressure on his OTF members to get that revenge."

The prosecution's evidence is expected to include surveillance footage of the gas station shooting, text messages, and even lyrics from Durk's songs. Additionally, three cooperating witnesses who have pleaded guilty are slated to testify against Durk. These witnesses include two of the alleged shooters, Kacey “OTF Jam” and Keith "Flacka" Jones, along with Kavon “Vonnie” Grant. Prosecutors identify Grant as Durk’s “right-hand man” who allegedly procured stolen vehicles and firearms for the crime.

Durk has consistently denied any wrongdoing since his arrest in 2024. His defense attorney, Marissa Goldberg, argued during her opening statement that Durk had no involvement in the shooting and that no evidence demonstrates he paid for an assassination. Goldberg suggested that Kavon “Vonnie” Grant was the true mastermind. She explained that Grant, who was close friends with King Von and drove him to the hospital after he was shot, had access to Durk’s credit cards due to his OTF employment. Goldberg posited that this access provided Grant with a convenient way to shift blame onto the rap star once he was apprehended by law enforcement, seeing Durk as a "big fish" to offer up.

Goldberg also urged the jury to disregard rap lyrics and music videos presented as evidence, which prosecutors contend illustrate Durk's desire to avenge Von's death. As an example, she referenced lyrics from the song “Ahhh Ha,” where Durk rapped about not responding to certain situations with Von and instead urging to "go get your gun." Goldberg argued that while Durk and his community were deeply affected by Von’s killing, these lyrics represent Durk "challenging his emotions through his artwork" and an "expression of how the community felt," rather than any criminal intent or plan for revenge. She described this as "art" and "performance," which was his profession.

Also on trial are David “Browneyez” Lindsey, accused of firing shots at Rondo, and Deandre “OTF Dede” Wilson, who allegedly was in one of the getaway vehicles. Both defendants maintain their innocence.

Lindsey's lawyer argued that there is no communication proving his client orchestrated the conspiracy, nor any financial transactions indicating he received monetary benefit. Wilson's attorney claimed his client was merely a passenger who was "trapped" into being present at the crime, having traveled to Los Angeles for what he believed was a music opportunity with the OTF label.

A fourth individual charged in the case, Asa “OTF Boogie” Houston, has also declared his innocence and will face a separate trial at a later date.

The trial is anticipated to span several weeks. If convicted of all charges, Durk and his co-defendants could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.

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English Translation:

During the opening day of Lil Durk's federal murder-for-hire trial, a prosecutor informed the jury that the Chicago rapper allegedly placed a bounty on rival Quando Rondo, driven by a desire for "revenge" following the murder of fellow artist King Von.

Opening statements were held at the Downtown Los Angeles federal courthouse on Monday (Aug. 24) for charges that the rapper (Durk Banks) ordered his Only the Family (OTF) label crew to kill Rondo in retaliation for Von’s 2020 killing. Rondo was shot at a Los Angeles gas station in 2022 and survived, but another man known as Lul Pab was killed in the crossfire. Durk and several others are charged with counts including conspiracy, stalking, and murder-for-hire.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Weiner presented the prosecution's case, stating that Durk financed flights for numerous OTF associates to travel from Chicago to Los Angeles with the explicit purpose of "tracking, stalking, hunting, and killing" Rondo. Weiner emphasized that "Mr. Banks used his wealth and his purse strings to put pressure on his OTF members to get that revenge."

The prosecution's evidence is expected to include surveillance footage of the gas station shooting, text messages, and even lyrics from Durk's songs. Additionally, three cooperating witnesses who have pleaded guilty are slated to testify against Durk. These witnesses include two of the alleged shooters, Kacey “OTF Jam” and Keith "Flacka" Jones, along with Kavon “Vonnie” Grant. Prosecutors identify Grant as Durk’s “right-hand man” who allegedly procured stolen vehicles and firearms for the crime.

Durk has consistently denied any wrongdoing since his arrest in 2024. His defense attorney, Marissa Goldberg, argued during her opening statement that Durk had no involvement in the shooting and that no evidence demonstrates he paid for an assassination. Goldberg suggested that Kavon “Vonnie” Grant was the true mastermind. She explained that Grant, who was close friends with King Von and drove him to the hospital after he was shot, had access to Durk’s credit cards due to his OTF employment. Goldberg posited that this access provided Grant with a convenient way to shift blame onto the rap star once he was apprehended by law enforcement, seeing Durk as a "big fish" to offer up.

Goldberg also urged the jury to disregard rap lyrics and music videos presented as evidence, which prosecutors contend illustrate Durk's desire to avenge Von's death. As an example, she referenced lyrics from the song “Ahhh Ha,” where Durk rapped about not responding to certain situations with Von and instead urging to "go get your gun." Goldberg argued that while Durk and his community were deeply affected by Von’s killing, these lyrics represent Durk "challenging his emotions through his artwork" and an "expression of how the community felt," rather than any criminal intent or plan for revenge. She described this as "art" and "performance," which was his profession.

Also on trial are David “Browneyez” Lindsey, accused of firing shots at Rondo, and Deandre “OTF Dede” Wilson, who allegedly was in one of the getaway vehicles. Both defendants maintain their innocence.

Lindsey's lawyer argued that there is no communication proving his client orchestrated the conspiracy, nor any financial transactions indicating he received monetary benefit. Wilson's attorney claimed his client was merely a passenger who was "trapped" into being present at the crime, having traveled to Los Angeles for what he believed was a music opportunity with the OTF label.

A fourth individual charged in the case, Asa “OTF Boogie” Houston, has also declared his innocence and will face a separate trial at a later date.

The trial is anticipated to span several weeks. If convicted of all charges, Durk and his co-defendants could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.