A jury of six men and 10 women has been selected to hear the case against Duane "Keffe D" Davis, an ex-gang leader accused of orchestrating the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur. Opening statements are expected to begin Monday in the Las Vegas trial, which is anticipated to last about a month.
Davis, 63, was charged three years ago with murder, with authorities identifying him as the "shot caller" behind the killing. He has pleaded not guilty and could face a life sentence if convicted. Prosecutors do not allege Davis fired the fatal shots, but contend he made the calls that led to Shakur's death and provided the weapon. Nevada law allows for murder convictions in cases where a person aids in committing the crime.
Shakur, 25, was shot near the Las Vegas Strip on September 7, 1996, while riding in the passenger seat of a BMW driven by Death Row Records co-founder Marion "Suge" Knight. Shots were fired from a Cadillac at a red light. Shakur died six days later. Davis is reportedly the only living person who was in the Cadillac from which the shots originated.
The case gained renewed attention after Davis published the book "Compton Street Legend" in 2019, detailing his time in the Crips and the shooting. Statements made in media interviews and by Davis have also been central to the prosecution's case. Davis' attorneys have argued that details from the book and a previous police interview should be excluded from the trial, contending the book was fictionalized and the interview was confidential.
Prosecutors expect to call between 35 and 45 witnesses, including associates of both Shakur and Davis. Marion "Suge" Knight, who is currently serving a 28-year sentence for a separate incident, is among those who could be called to testify, though he has reportedly expressed a desire not to participate in the trial. Sean "Diddy" Combs will not be among the witnesses, according to attorneys.
Shakur remains one of hip-hop's most influential artists, with over 75 million records sold worldwide. His death occurred at the height of his career amid a period of intense rivalry within the music industry.