Duane “Keffe D” Davis Maintains Innocence in First Post-Conviction Interview
In his first interview after being convicted of first-degree murder in Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing, Duane “Keffe D” Davis claimed he is innocent and criticized witness testimony and evidence used at trial.
Duane “Keffe D” Davis told the Hollywood Reporter he maintains his innocence after a Las Vegas jury convicted him of first-degree murder in the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur. Davis said witnesses, including law-enforcement officers, lied on the stand and disputed the use of a memoir he alleges he did not write as evidence. He described the book, titled Compton Street Legend, as a project in which an author asked him for stories and photos, adding that he never read or approved the final publication and that his name was misspelled on the cover.
He also referenced a prior Vlad.TV interview shown at trial, stating he was “just there making the money” and that a U.S. attorney had promised him protection. Davis said his defense counsel advised him against testifying because it could jeopardize future appeals.
The conviction, reached after a three-hour deliberation, was welcomed by Shakur’s family, who were present in the courtroom. When asked for a message to the family, Davis said he had none and expressed concern about perceived bias in the trial proceedings.
His attorney plans to file an appeal, citing a previous federal agreement that Davis believes should preempt the state conviction, though Davis expressed doubt about the likelihood of success. He also mentioned his two grandsons, both high-level football prospects, as potential supporters in the future.