A former enforcer for Death Row Records, known as 'Mob James' McDonald, refused to testify against Duane 'Keffe D' Davis in the ongoing murder trial of Tupac Shakur. McDonald, a past member of the Mob Piru Gang and a lieutenant under label head Suge Knight, told the court on Tuesday that he would not discuss the events surrounding Shakur's 1996 murder on the Las Vegas Strip, stating, “I don’t want to send [Davis] to prison. Even though we don’t like each other.”
McDonald, 63, was questioned by prosecutors and defense attorneys regarding the gang rivalry between the Mob Piru Gang and the South Side Compton Crips, to which Davis belongs. The prosecution alleges that Davis orchestrated Shakur's murder as retaliation after Shakur and his associates assaulted Davis's nephew, Orlando Anderson. Prosecutors claim Davis provided the gun used in the shooting.
Despite acknowledging awareness of the events and individuals involved, McDonald expressed frustration with being compelled to revisit a past he wishes to leave behind. "Me or anybody else raising up the dead is wrong," he said, emphasizing his reluctance to dredge up old conflicts. He declared the court was forcing him to speak about events from 30 years ago and that he would not answer questions that could incriminate Davis.
McDonald's testimony appeared to offer little support for the prosecution's case. He managed security at Suge Knight's Las Vegas club, where Knight and Shakur were reportedly headed on the night of the ambush. McDonald stated he knew who was present during the attack but declined to name names. The questioning concluded with McDonald becoming agitated, throwing his hands up and stating, “I’m not answering nothing. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He then addressed Davis, advising him to "cover your lawyer, man. That dude is trippin’."
Duane 'Keffe D' Davis was arrested and charged over 25 years after Shakur's death. Davis has admitted his nephew fired the shots but has denied giving the order. The trial continues as the court navigates testimony from witnesses like McDonald, who refuse to implicate their former rivals.
