Ex-Crips leader found guilty in 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur
The verdict ends decades of mystery as to who was behind the rapper's death.
Duane "Keffe D" Davis, a former gang leader, has been convicted of orchestrating the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur. This marks the first conviction in the cold case that has captivated hip-hop enthusiasts for nearly three decades.
A jury found Davis guilty of one count of murder with a deadly weapon in connection with the rap superstar's death in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996.
The 63-year-old, dressed in a black suit, stood stoically in the Las Vegas courtroom as the verdict was delivered, subsequently stating his intention to appeal. Shakur's family members were seen holding hands, with some embracing and weeping.
Shakur was 25 years old when he was killed at the peak of his career, recognized as one of rap's most influential voices. His global record sales exceed 75 million.
During the trial, prosecutors contended that while Davis, a former leader of the South Side Compton Crips street gang, did not personally fire the weapon that killed Shakur, he ordered the shooting and provided the gun used by his nephew, Orlando Anderson.
They informed the court that Davis had planned the shooting as an act of retaliation after Anderson was involved in an altercation with Shakur and the rapper's entourage in Las Vegas just hours prior.
For 30 years, the case remained one of America's most notorious unsolved mysteries, fueling numerous conspiracy theories but never resulting in a conviction, until now.
Shakur's murder occurred during a period of intense rivalry between the East Coast and West Coast rap scenes, and amidst gang feuds between the Bloods and Crips, which were deeply embedded within hip-hop at the time.
His family displayed visible emotion in court; his sister embraced a prosecutor after the verdict, while others nearby were in tears.
Outside the courthouse, devoted fans of Shakur were observed crying and cheering.
Key evidence in the case included Davis's own statements, in which he repeatedly and publicly admitted to being inside the white Cadillac from which the fatal shots were fired.
He had disclosed his involvement in Shakur's death to authorities during a confidential police interview in 2008, which was related to the death of fellow rapper Notorious B.I.G., whose real name was Christopher Wallace.
Davis further elaborated on his role in his 2019 memoir, *Compton Street Legend*.
However, his book and media interviews nullified a protective agreement he had with authorities that had prevented criminal charges from being filed. The court ruled that his police interview could be used in the murder trial against him.
In closing arguments, prosecutor Binu Palal urged jurors to believe Davis's own words and find him guilty.
For years, Palal argued, Davis had been telling people "that he is responsible for Tupac Shakur's murder" through documentaries, his memoir, podcasts, and a police interview.
"He's the shot caller — in every instance in every iteration he's the leader of the South Side Crips," Palal told the jury.
"When you have the shot caller sitting shotgun when shots are fired, there's no doubt he's responsible."
Throughout the trial, Davis's defense team attempted to convince jurors that his comments were fabricated — bravado and exaggeration intended to sell books and generate income.
In closing arguments, his lawyer Michael Sanft implored the jury to discredit his client as a liar who merely told stories to sell books.
"There's no proof," he told the jury.
However, within hours of the jury receiving the case on Monday, they reached a guilty verdict.
Just before the court adjourned, Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny scheduled Davis's sentencing for October 13.
While Judge Kierny was outlining some procedural steps in the case, Davis appeared to interrupt by raising his hand.
"I would like my stuff," he told the judge, referring to personal items including his phone.
He continued: "I would like to appeal this matter."
The judge explained that an appeal could be pursued after sentencing.