Chicago rap superstar Lil Durk has been found not guilty on all counts in his closely watched federal murder-for-hire trial, delivering a stunning victory for the Grammy-winning artist after nearly two years behind bars awaiting the outcome of the case.

A Los Angeles federal jury returned the verdict on Friday, September 11, after three days of deliberations, clearing Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks, of every charge considered in the trial.

Federal prosecutors had accused Durk of helping organize a 2022 revenge plot targeting rapper Quando Rondo following the killing of Durk’s close friend and fellow Chicago rapper King Von.

The alleged plot resulted in a shooting near the Beverly Center in Los Angeles that killed Quando Rondo’s cousin, Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson, while Rondo survived.

Throughout the trial, prosecutors presented witness testimony, travel records, communications and other evidence they argued connected Durk to the alleged operation.

Durk’s defense team strongly challenged the government’s case, arguing prosecutors had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the rapper ordered, financed or intentionally participated in a murder-for-hire scheme.

After hearing weeks of testimony and examining the evidence, jurors ultimately sided with the defense and returned not-guilty verdicts across the board.

The decision represents a massive legal victory for one of Chicago’s biggest hip-hop stars, who had faced the possibility of spending the rest of his life in federal prison if convicted on the most serious charges.

However, the acquittal does not automatically mean Durk will immediately walk out of federal custody. Separate racketeering-related charges were previously severed from this trial and remain pending.

Still, Friday’s verdict eliminates the murder-for-hire charges that had placed Durk’s freedom, career and future in serious jeopardy.

For his supporters, the long-awaited words were finally delivered in court: not guilty on all counts.