A Las Vegas jury convicted Duane “Keffe D” Davis on Monday of first-degree murder for orchestrating the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur. The 63-year-old Davis was found guilty of a single count of murder with a deadly weapon following less than three hours of deliberation. Prosecutors stated that although Davis did not pull the trigger, he was criminally responsible under Nevada law for providing the weapon and ordering the attack.
The conviction follows nearly three decades of investigation into the September 7, 1996, drive-by shooting. Shakur was stopped at a red light in Las Vegas when shots were fired from a white Cadillac, leading to his death six days later. For years, no charges were filed in the case until Davis began making public statements and published a memoir, "Compton Street Legend," in which he described his involvement in the shooting.
During the weekslong trial, the prosecution argued that Davis sought retaliation after Shakur and Death Row Records co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight assaulted Davis’ nephew earlier that evening. Chief Deputy District Attorney Binu Palal told the jury that Davis acquired a gun and "went hunting" for the pair. The defense, led by attorney Michael Sanft, argued there was no physical evidence, such as surveillance footage or phone records, placing Davis in Las Vegas on the night of the crime.
Davis faces the possibility of life in prison. While the state dismissed a gang enhancement charge on Monday evening due to witness logistics, the first-degree murder conviction carries the possibility of life in prison. Under Nevada law, someone who helps another person commit murder can be convicted of the crime.
What happens next involves the formal sentencing phase, where a judge will determine the exact terms of Davis' imprisonment. The source did not provide a specific date for the sentencing hearing. The conviction relied on Davis' own public accounts and memoir, as the prosecution argued his statements did not need to be independently corroborated with additional evidence if believed by the jury.