Jury Selected for Duane "Keffe D" Davis Trial in Tupac Shakur Murder Case
Twelve jurors and four alternates have been seated for the trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, the sole suspect charged in the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, with opening statements set for Monday.
A panel of 12 jurors and four alternates, comprising 10 women and six men, was finalized after a three-day selection process in Clark County, Nevada. The jurors, drawn from ordinary residents such as a self-improvement coach and a mail carrier, will decide whether 63-year-old Duane “Keffe D” Davis is guilty of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon and gang-related intent.
Prosecutors argue that Davis orchestrated the 1996 shooting of Tupac Shakur, citing his memoir "Compton Street Legend" and prior police interviews, which a judge ruled admissible despite Davis’ claim that the book is fictional. Davis has pleaded not guilty and waived his right to a jury-determined sentence, meaning any conviction would be sentenced by the judge.
Potential jurors were questioned on topics including gangs, firearms, rap music, and their exposure to media coverage of the case, such as the Netflix documentary series "Sean Combs: The Reckoning." Chief Deputy District Attorney Binu Palal emphasized the need for jurors to remain open-minded and evaluate evidence without bias.
The courtroom, located in Nevada’s eighth judicial district, saw attendees wearing Shakur-related apparel, though a sign posted on the second day prohibited clothing or accessories that displayed case-related images or messages. Opening statements are scheduled for Monday, and the trial is expected to last four to five weeks.
"It’s very important that I’m here," former Death Row Records artist Darryl Harper said, adding that he wants fans to know he is present and supporting justice for his late friend.
The trial marks the first time anyone has faced charges in Shakur’s death, a case that has generated extensive speculation, documentaries, and books over the past three decades.