Lil Durk celebrates his five-count acquittal, but DeDe and Browneyez were convicted and another federal trial awaits.
Lil Durk called for freedom Saturday after a federal jury acquitted him of all five charges, although the two men tried beside him were convicted on three stalking-related counts.
The Chicago rapper posted his first statement after the verdict and thanked Allah, his family, lawyers and supporters.
“Against all odds, we’re stronger together. Allah doesn’t make mistakes. I feel all the love and positive energy. Now let me be free to help save our kids and bring unity back to our communities. I couldn’t have made it this far without my family, my lawyers, and supporters. 🙌🏾”
“Freedom. Freedom. Freedom.”..
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Durk was the only defendant cleared of every charge after jurors deliberated for three days.
Jurors found Deandre “DeDe” Wilson and David “Browneyez” Lindsey guilty of conspiracy to commit stalking, stalking with a dangerous weapon and stalking resulting in death.
DeDe and Browneyez were acquitted of the two murder-for-hire charges, but their three stalking convictions remain.
The verdict followed a federal trial over the August 19, 2022, attack near the Beverly Center in Los Angeles.
Prosecutors claimed Lil Durk financed a plan to kill Tyquian “Quando Rondo” Bowman as revenge for Dayvon “King Von” Bennett’s November 2020 death.
Quando Rondo survived the ambush, but his 24-year-old cousin Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson was killed after gunmen fired 18 rounds.
The government relied on surveillance footage, phone and travel records, lyrics and testimony from three OTF associates who accepted plea agreements.
OTF Vonni, OTF Jam and Flacka connected Lil Durk to different parts of the alleged plot.
Defense lawyers said the cooperating witnesses blamed Lil Durk while hoping their testimony would reduce their federal sentences.
“Nobody is interviewed. Nobody hears anything,” defense attorney Drew Findling told jurors. “So you are resting your whole case on Vonni, the belief that Vonni is telling the truth.”
Lil Durk’s acquittal does not mean he is going home immediately.
He remains in federal custody because racketeering and firearms allegations were separated from the first trial instead of being dismissed.
That second trial is scheduled to begin October 5 and also includes DeDe and Browneyez.
The pending case involves the January 2022 killing of Stephon Mack outside the Youth Peace Center in Chicago.
Prosecutors allege OTF operated as a criminal enterprise and Lil Durk offered a reward for Mack’s murder after his brother Dontay “DThang” Banks was killed.
The first jury did not decide those allegations, leaving Lil Durk’s demand for freedom dependent on another federal trial.
