A federal jury is being selected to determine whether prosecutors can prove that Lil Durk ordered a 2022 attempt on Quando Rondo’s life that ultimately resulted in the death of Rondo’s cousin.
Jury selection began Thursday (August 20) in Los Angeles, officially moving the murder-for-hire case against Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks, into the trial stage after nearly two years of legal battles over evidence, witnesses and the government’s arguments.
Durk is standing trial alongside Deandre “DeDe” Wilson and David “Browneyez” Lindsey, two other defendants prosecutors have connected to the alleged scheme. All three have pleaded not guilty.
Federal prosecutors accuse Durk of placing a hit on Tyquian “Quando Rondo” Bowman as retaliation for the November 2020 death of King Von. Timothy “Lul Tim” Leeks, a Quando associate, shot and killed Von during a confrontation outside an Atlanta nightclub. The murder charge against Leeks was later dismissed after Georgia prosecutors determined he acted in self-defense.
According to federal authorities, the alleged retaliation took place in Los Angeles on August 19, 2022. Prosecutors claim members and associates of Only The Family tracked down Quando before opening fire on his vehicle at a gas station near the Beverly Center. Federal officials say at least 18 shots were fired.
Embora Quando survived the attack, his cousin Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson was killed. Investigators allege Durk funded and coordinated the shooting, citing travel plans, OTF-related payments and communications they believe link him to the individuals who traveled from Chicago to California.
The case that jurors are set to hear has already been shaped by several major court decisions before any testimony begins. U.S. District Judge Michael Fitzgerald has ruled on multiple attempts by Durk’s legal team to block government evidence, while another key decision prevented newly added charges from broadening the scope of the August trial.
In July, Fitzgerald approved requests to separate two counts that were introduced through an expanded indictment, allowing the Los Angeles murder-for-hire case to move forward as planned instead of requiring the defense to prepare for significantly different allegations just weeks before trial. Those separated charges remain active and could potentially be addressed in a separate trial.
Jurors will still be presented with a large amount of evidence that prosecutors say supports their claims of motive and intent. Fitzgerald has allowed the government to use portions of music videos, podcast appearances, text messages, photos from Durk’s iCloud account and a 911 call related to the shooting.
Prosecutors will also be permitted to introduce a 2021 DJ Akademiks interview featuring 6ix9ine and Wack 100, where they criticized Durk for allegedly not retaliating after King Von’s death. The government claims a witness will testify that Durk was affected by that criticism. His defense team has questioned the interview’s relevance and pushed back against prosecutors using music and public statements as evidence of criminal intent.
Durk has remained in federal custody since his October 2024 arrest near Miami International Airport. Investigators said he booked several international flights after learning that other defendants connected to the case had been arrested. His attorneys have continued to maintain his innocence and have pushed for the matter to go before a jury.
Once the jury is finalized, prosecutors are expected to take approximately 11 to 13 days to present their case. If convicted on the most serious charges, Durk could face life in federal prison.
