The murder trial of Duane "Keffe D" Davis concluded its evidentiary phase on Thursday after nine days of testimony in Las Vegas. Defense attorneys rested their case following the testimony of three former police officers, and jurors are now expected to return on Monday for closing arguments before beginning deliberations.
The prosecution stems from the September 7, 1996, shooting of hip-hop artist Tupac Shakur near the Las Vegas Strip. Shakur was riding in a BMW driven by Marion "Suge" Knight when a white Cadillac pulled alongside them at a red light and opened fire; Shakur died six days later from his injuries, while Knight survived. Davis, 63, is the only person ever prosecuted in connection with the killing and has pleaded not guilty to murder with a deadly weapon.
During the final day of testimony, retired Las Vegas homicide detective Dan Long testified as a defense witness that he was unable to independently verify several details Davis provided during a 2009 interview. Long stated he could not find hospital records for Davis’ nephew, Orlando Anderson, whom Davis claimed sought treatment after a casino brawl involving Shakur hours before the shooting. Additionally, Long testified he could not locate rental records for the white Cadillac Davis described, noting he had "no independent facts" outside of Davis' own statements to confirm Davis was in the vehicle.
The case centers on the weight of self-incriminating statements versus physical evidence. Prosecutors called 24 witnesses over nine days to argue that Davis orchestrated the retaliatory killing, relying heavily on Davis’ own 2019 memoir and recorded jail calls. The defense, led by Michael Sanft, argues that Davis fabricated these accounts for financial gain and notoriety, asserting that the lack of corroborating hospital or rental records proves the statements were embellished.
The proceedings are scheduled to resume Monday morning in Clark County District Court. Following closing arguments from both the prosecution and the defense, the jury will begin deliberations. A specific date for a verdict is not yet known, as it depends on the length of jury discussions. Davis did not testify during the trial.
WHO: Duane "Keffe D" Davis, defense attorney Michael Sanft, and retired detective Dan Long. WHAT: The evidentiary phase of the murder trial for Duane Davis concluded, with closing arguments scheduled to follow. WHEN: Thursday, August 27, 2026 WHERE: Las Vegas, Nevada WHY: To determine if Davis is guilty of orchestrating the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur, a charge that carries a potential life sentence.