The rapper Lil Durk, born Durk Banks, was acquitted Friday on federal charges that he plotted to kill a rival in an ambush shooting that instead resulted in the death of another man. Jurors deliberated for three days before finding Mr. Banks not guilty on five total counts, including stalking and orchestrating a murder for hire in the 2022 death of Saviay'a Robinson in Los Angeles. Mr. Banks, who could have faced a life sentence, remains in custody while awaiting a related racketeering trial. Two other co-defendants accused of aiding in the shooting — Deandre Dontrell Wilson and David Brian Lindsey — were also acquitted of murder for hire but were convicted on stalking charges.

The prosecution's argument hinged on the testimony of three associates of Mr. Banks, including two who were initially charged as co-defendants. Those men, Kavon Grant and Keith Jones, each said that Mr. Banks had offered cash — Mr. Jones said the amount was $1 million — for the murder of Mr. Bowman. A third associate, Kacey Hester, who was arrested on a separate gun charge and struck a plea deal to cooperate in the case, testified that he had been a shooter in the attack and was lured by Mr. Banks's monetary offer.

The defense, led by Mr. Findling and the high-powered lawyers Brian Steel, Christy O'Connor and Marissa Goldberg, pointed to Mr. Grant as the mastermind in the shooting. A close friend of Mr. Banks, he knew Mr. Banks's Social Security number and had access to his bank accounts and credit cards that were used to buy flights for Only the Family associates. Drew Findling said after the verdict that he had been "elated" at the outcome and praised the jury. "When you have the opportunity to say to the United States of America, 'You were wrong for indicting this young man,' that's an incredible power and responsibility," he said outside the courthouse.