30 years later: The trial for the murder of Tupac begins
Duane "Keffe D" Davis, accused of planning the murder of the legendary rapper, appeared in a Las Vegas court and pleaded not guilty. The prosecution alleges he was involved in the planning and provided the weapon, though he did not pull the trigger.
Almost three decades after Tupac Shakur was shot to death in Las Vegas, the case that became one of the greatest mysteries in hip-hop history is finally reaching the courtroom. On Monday, jury selection began in Nevada for the trial of 63-year-old Duane "Keffe D" Davis, the man indicted for the rapper's murder.
Davis is charged with murder with the use of a deadly weapon and with acting to promote or assist the activities of a criminal gang. He denies the charges. The trial, presided over by Judge Carli Kierny, is expected to last about a month.
The Prosecution's Case
It is important to emphasize: the prosecution does not claim that Davis himself shot Shakur. According to their theory, he was one of the masterminds, obtained the gun used for the shooting, and passed it to the person in the vehicle. The person suspected over the years as the one who pulled the trigger is Orlando "Baby Lane" Anderson, Davis's nephew. Anderson was never indicted and was killed in 1998 during a gang shootout in Compton. The two other men allegedly in the car that night — DeAndre "Big Dre" Smith and Terry "Bubble Up" Brown — are also deceased.
Outside the courthouse, Shakur's family members and supporters gathered. His cousin, Kendrick Lesane, said: "Whoever was involved in this, whoever planned this, and whoever had a part in this — needs to sit in jail."
The Fateful Night
On the night of September 7, 1996, Shakur was riding in a black BMW with Death Row Records founder Suge Knight. A white Cadillac approached them and opened fire. Shakur was hit by several bullets and died six days later at the age of 25. Knight survived.
The case remained unsolved for years, until Davis began speaking publicly about his involvement, including in his memoir. He was arrested in 2023.
Who Will Testify?
The prosecution expects to present between 35 and 45 witnesses, including Shakur's family, former police officers, and gang experts. A key witness is Leonard Jefferson, who happened to photograph Shakur's car that night—the last known photo of the rapper before his death.
Devonta Lee, linked to the "Crips," may also testify. He previously claimed that DeAndre Smith carried out the shooting while Davis managed the operation.
Suge Knight and Diddy
Much attention is focused on Suge Knight, currently serving a 28-year prison sentence. He is the only living witness who was inside one of the vehicles during the shooting. Knight has stated he does not intend to testify, but the possibility remains a point of intrigue.
Sean "Diddy" Combs's name has also surfaced. In his memoir, Davis claimed Combs offered money to kill Shakur and Knight. Combs, currently imprisoned for unrelated offenses, has always denied involvement. His name does not appear on the witness list.
