A key witness in the murder trial of Tupac Shakur stated Tuesday that he would not provide testimony that could lead to the imprisonment of the accused, Duane "Keffe D" Davis. James McDonald, who identified himself as a "hostile witness," testified that he worked security for Death Row Records and was present at Suge Knight's 662 club on the night Shakur was shot in 1996.
During cross-examination by Davis's defense attorney, Michael Sanft, McDonald became combative. When asked what he heard following the shooting on September 7, 1996, McDonald responded, "Are you sure you want me to answer that? I don’t want to send him to prison, even though we don’t like each other." He added, "You’re asking me questions that can hurt him... You’re asking something that’s gonna hurt this dude."
McDonald, a member of the Mob Piru Bloods, indicated he did not want to testify and appeared flustered under questioning. He told jurors that "everybody was there" the night Shakur was killed but declined to name specific individuals when pressed by attorneys.
Duane "Keffe D" Davis, identified as a former South Side Compton Crips leader, is on trial for allegedly orchestrating Shakur's death. Prosecutors allege the shooting was retaliation for an earlier assault by Shakur and his entourage on Davis's nephew, Orlando Anderson. Davis has pleaded not guilty to one count of murder with the use of a deadly weapon, with the intent to promote, further, or assist a criminal gang. If convicted, he faces a sentence of up to life in prison.
Prosecutors are expected to present approximately five hours of video evidence to the court on Thursday as the state continues to build its case.