Lil Durk’s high-profile federal trial has reached one of its most critical moments.

A Los Angeles jury began deliberating the Chicago rapper’s fate on September 9 after prosecutors and defense attorneys completed closing arguments in the federal case surrounding the 2022 shooting death of Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson.

Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Now, after weeks of testimony, evidence and competing arguments over what role prosecutors say Durk played in the alleged plot, the case is officially in the hands of the jury.

Federal prosecutors allege that Durk helped finance and direct a plot to kill rapper Quando Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Bowman.

Authorities have argued that the alleged attack was retaliation connected to the November 2020 killing of Durk’s close friend and fellow Chicago rapper King Von.

In August 2022, gunmen allegedly targeted Quando Rondo near the Beverly Center in Los Angeles.

Rondo survived the shooting, but his cousin, Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson, was killed.

Prosecutors claim Durk played a role in setting the alleged plan into motion.

Durk’s attorneys have strongly rejected the government’s theory.

The defense has argued that simply showing Durk knew or associated with people allegedly connected to the shooting does not prove that he ordered, funded or participated in a murder-for-hire conspiracy.

His attorneys also spent significant time challenging the credibility of cooperating witnesses used by prosecutors.

Durk did not testify in his own defense.

However, his legal team presented nine witnesses before resting its case.

The jury must now determine whether prosecutors proved their allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.

Another important piece of the trial involves the Pinkerton doctrine, a federal conspiracy principle that could affect how jurors evaluate responsibility for Lul Pab’s death.

Under the doctrine, a person involved in a conspiracy can potentially be held responsible for certain crimes committed by another member of that conspiracy if those acts were committed in furtherance of the conspiracy and were reasonably foreseeable.

Prosecutors argue the principle could apply if jurors first determine that Durk participated in a conspiracy targeting Quando Rondo.

The defense has pushed back against that argument and the government’s larger attempt to connect Durk directly to the deadly shooting.

The closing arguments also created a viral moment after prosecutors reportedly mentioned Jay-Z while discussing Durk’s celebrity status.

According to courtroom coverage shared by Trap Lore Ross, prosecutors allegedly told jurors:

“Defense will say Durk is a superstar, respectfully he ain’t Jay-Z.”

The government reportedly argued that Durk believed certain statements would go unnoticed because of his position in the music industry before adding:

“The jig is up.”

The alleged remark quickly spread across social media, with fans debating why prosecutors chose Jay-Z as the comparison while making their case.

With closing arguments finished, prosecutors and Durk’s defense team have largely done what they can.

Jurors must now review the evidence, testimony and legal instructions before deciding whether Durk and his co-defendants are guilty on the federal charges they face.

The deliberations represent the culmination of a case that has kept Durk’s fans closely watching the federal courthouse in Los Angeles.

As of the latest reported update, no verdict had been announced.