Opening Statements Begin Monday in Trial of Tupac Shakur Murder Suspect Duane Davis

Opening statements are scheduled to start Monday in Las Vegas as prosecutors and defense present their cases in the trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, who is charged with murder with a deadly weapon and gang-related intent in the 1996 drive-by shooting that killed rapper Tupac Shakur. Davis, 63, has pleaded not guilty and faces a potential life sentence if convicted.

The indictment, filed in 2023, marks the first time a suspect has been charged in the nearly three-decade-old case. Prosecutors intend to call 35 to 45 witnesses, while the defense plans to present a limited number of testimonies.

Family members of Shakur are expected to attend the proceedings. Maurice “Mopreme” Shakur, the rapper’s stepbrother, said the trial will be difficult for the family but emphasized their commitment to stand by the deceased.

Several friends and relatives traveled to Las Vegas for jury selection, including music producer Darryl Harper, who described his personal connection to Shakur and expressed hope that the trial will identify the responsible party. Cousins Kendrick and William Lesane also attended, with William noting his desire for accountability.

Prosecutors allege that Davis organized the shooting as retaliation after an altercation involving his nephew earlier that night, though they do not claim he fired the weapon. They cite a 2008 interview in which Davis discussed the incident and a later book, “Compton Street Legend,” which they say contains self-incriminating details that revived the investigation.

“Had he decided to never write the book, he would not, probably, have ever been prosecuted for the crime,” prosecutor Marc DiGiacomo said.

Davis’s attorney, Michael Sanft, argues the book was a commercial venture and that it is unclear which portions, if any, were authored by Davis. He contends that co-author Yusuf Jah, listed as a potential witness, has indicated Davis may not have read the manuscript fully.

“It’s impossible to tell which parts — if any — Davis wrote and which parts author Yusuf Jah penned,” Sanft said.

Davis has also told a local television station that he was not present in Las Vegas on the night of the shooting, contradicting the account presented in his book, which describes his travel to the city and events surrounding the incident.

The trial, which could extend over several weeks, will determine whether the evidence is sufficient to convict Davis of the charges related to Shakur’s death.