Convicted in Tupac Shakur murder case gives first interview, maintains innocence
Duane “Keffe D” Davis, convicted of first-degree murder in the 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur, told the Hollywood Reporter he did not write a memoir used as evidence and accused witnesses of lying.
Duane “Keffe D” Davis spoke to the Hollywood Reporter days after a Nevada jury found him guilty of first-degree murder in the 1996 death of rapper Tupac Shakur. Davis said he never authored the memoir titled Compton Street Legend that prosecutors presented during the trial, adding that the book’s cover misspelled his name. He also referenced a prior interview on Vlad.TV that was shown in court, claiming he was only trying to earn money and that a U.S. attorney had offered him protection.
"I never wrote that book. The author told me to tell them 10 stories about what happened in your life and get them some pictures," Davis said.
He alleged that FBI agents, police officers and other witnesses testified falsely about his character, and he criticized the prosecution’s handling of Shakur’s family during the trial. When asked why he did not testify, Davis said his lawyer advised that doing so could jeopardize any future appeal.
The conviction, reached after a three-hour deliberation, was welcomed by Shakur’s relatives who were present in the courtroom. Davis said he has no message for the family and expressed skepticism about the appeal process, citing a prior federal agreement he believes should affect the state case. He also mentioned his two grandsons’ football prospects, suggesting they could help secure his release.