Trial Begins in the 1996 Tupac Shakur Murder Case
In Las Vegas, the trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 63, is underway. Davis faces a charge of murder with a deadly weapon, accused of furthering a criminal gang in connection with the 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur. Jury selection starts Monday, with the trial expected to last about a month.
Tupac Shakur’s Killing: A Long-Standing Mystery
Tupac Shakur, known as 2Pac or Makaveli, was shot on September 7, 1996. He and Marion “Suge” Knight were in a black BMW heading to Club 662, where Shakur was set to perform. A white Cadillac pulled alongside them, and gunfire ensued. Shakur was hit multiple times and passed away six days later. Knight survived. The case remained unsolved until recent public statements and a memoir by Davis revived investigations. Davis, a former leader of the South Side Compton Crips, was arrested in 2023 but pleaded not guilty.
Trial Details
The trial is held at Clark County District Court in Las Vegas, overseen by Judge Carli Kierny. Jury selection is expected to last a few days, followed by opening statements and witness testimonies. Due to limited courtroom seating, a daily lottery will be conducted, and a second-floor room will live-stream the trial.
The Case Against Davis
Prosecutors do not claim Davis fired the shots at Shakur. Instead, they argue he orchestrated the shooting and provided the gun used. Davis co-authored “Compton Street Legends,” detailing his role in the incident, including obtaining a handgun and tossing it in the Cadillac’s back seat. Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, Davis’ nephew, was a prime suspect but died in an unrelated shooting in 1998.
Witness Testimonies
The prosecution plans to call 35 to 45 witnesses, including former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and Shakur’s family members. The list also comprises Leonard Jefferson, who captured the last known photo of Shakur, and Denvonta Lee, affiliated with the South Side Crips.
Lee testified that the shooting involved rival gangs linked to Death Row and Bad Boy Records. Malcolm Greenidge, a friend of Shakur’s, and Reggie Wright, a security figure for Death Row, are also expected to testify. New witnesses include former police, detectives, and gang experts. Davis’ defense will bring fewer witnesses, focusing on questioning interrogation practices.
Potential High-Profile Attendees
Prosecutors have requested several out-of-state witnesses; their identities remain uncertain. Suge Knight, another eyewitness, is currently serving a 28-year sentence and previously indicated he wouldn’t testify in Davis’ case. Should Knight testify, his words could significantly impact the case.
Fans speculate Sean “Diddy” Combs might testify due to claims in Davis’ memoir. Davis accused Combs of wanting Shakur dead and offering money for the killing. However, Combs has denied these allegations, and his name does not appear on any witness list.