During opening statements in Lil Durk’s murder-for-hire trial, prosecutors revealed cooperating witnesses, included OTF Jam and two men who Durk allegedly hired to kill Quando Rondo.
On Monday (Aug. 24), prosecutors delivered their opening statements at the Los Angeles federal courthouse, where they claim Lil Durk was the ringleader who ordered his Only the Family (OTF) label crew to kill Quando Rondo in retaliation for King Von’s shooting death in 2020. Rondo was caught in an ambush at a Los Angeles gas station in 2022 and survived, but his cousin, Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson, was killed in the crossfire.
Digital creator Melanie Goolsby (of I’m Not a Lawyer But… series), who is covering the Durk trial, reported that prosecutors have confirmed that cooperating witnesses OTF Jam, Kavon “Cuz” Grant and Keith Jones—the alleged hitmen—will testify in the trial. Prosecutors also revealed that they have unseen footage of multiple attempts to kill Quando Rondo.
According to MyLANews.com, assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Weiner reportedly told the jury, “This case is not about music — it’s about murder,” and added that Durk was consumed with revenge and was pressured from fans to avenge the death of King Von.
The defense in their opening arguments insisted that Durkio was neither involved in the murder of Rondo’s cousin nor present during the shooting. Banks’ attorney Marissa Goldberg shifted the blame for the murder plot on co-defendant Kavon Grant, the Chicago rapper’s personal assistant, who pleaded guilty to murder and agreed to cooperate with the government against Durk.
As the trial continued, YouTuber Charles Ross (aka Trap Lore Ross) and other attendees— including rapper MGK—reportedly viewed gruesome footage of Robinson’s fatal shooting. Prosecutors additionally presented horrific autopsy photos revealing the victim’s gunshot wounds to his bicep and heart.
Lil Durk’s trial will resume on Tuesday (Aug. 25). Stay tuned to XXL for updates.
Read Melanie Goolsby’s Coverage of Opening Statements at Lil Durk’s Murder-for-Hire Trial
Watch Trap Lore Ross’ Coverage from Day 3 of Lil Durk’s Murder-for-Hire Trial
Watch Moe Gangat’s (@lawyerforworkers) Reporting From Lil Durk’s Murder-for-Hire Trial
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