The trial for Duane “Keffe D” Davis, accused of orchestrating the 1996 murder of rap icon Tupac Shakur, is set to begin in Las Vegas, bringing a close to one of hip-hop’s most enduring mysteries. Davis, 63, has pleaded not guilty to one charge of murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote or further criminal gang activity.
The trial, expected to last approximately one month, will take place in Clark County District Court under Judge Carli Kierny. Jury selection commenced Monday, with opening statements and witness testimony to follow.
Shakur was shot on Sept. 7, 1996, in Las Vegas. He was in a black BMW with music mogul Marion “Suge” Knight when a white Cadillac pulled alongside them. Gunfire erupted, and Shakur, a passenger, was shot multiple times. He died six days later. Knight, who was driving, survived the incident.
The case remained cold for years until recent public statements and a memoir by Davis brought it back into focus. Davis, identified as a leader of the South Side Compton Crips at the time of the shooting, was arrested in 2023.
Prosecutors are not asserting that Davis fired the fatal shots. Instead, their case aims to prove that Davis made the decisions leading to Shakur's death and supplied the weapon used. Davis’ memoir, “Compton Street Legends,” details his alleged role but does not name the shooter. Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, Davis’ nephew, has long been considered the prime suspect in firing the shots, but he died in an unrelated incident two years after Shakur’s death. Two other individuals present in the Cadillac with Davis and Anderson have also since died.
The prosecution expects to call between 35 and 45 witnesses, including individuals who were near Shakur before the shooting and others connected to Shakur and Davis. The witness list includes former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, family members of Shakur, and Leonard Jefferson, who took the last known photograph of Shakur. Denvonta Lee, affiliated with the South Side Crips, is also expected to testify, having previously told a grand jury that Anderson did not have a clear shot and that Smith took the gun and fired. Other expected witnesses include Malcolm Greenidge, a friend of Shakur’s, and Reggie Wright, who provided security for Death Row Records. New witnesses include a former member of Death Row’s security team and a former member of the Mob Piru who was present at Club 662 the night Shakur was killed, as well as former police officers and gang experts.
Davis’ defense is expected to call a limited number of witnesses, including an expert on false confessions.
Notable figures who may be called to testify include Suge Knight, currently serving a 28-year sentence in California for a separate conviction. Knight’s testimony is considered potentially crucial, as he was the only other living eyewitness in one of the involved vehicles. Additionally, speculation has surrounded the potential testimony of Sean “Diddy” Combs, whom Davis alleged in his book had offered money to have Knight and Shakur killed. Combs has consistently denied any involvement. A spokesperson for Combs has not confirmed any plans to testify, and his name does not appear on any witness list.
Given the limited seating in the courtroom, a daily lottery will be held for public access, with a live feed of the proceedings available in an adjacent room.