Opening statements began Monday, August 17 in the murder trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis. He is accused of orchestrating the 1996 killing of legendary rapper Tupac Shakur. The trial, taking place in Las Vegas, follows the seating of a jury of 12 members and four alternates last Thursday.
Davis, 63, faces charges of murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further, or assist a criminal gang. If convicted, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole. Davis has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution alleges that Davis orchestrated the drive-by shooting that killed Shakur as an act of revenge after Shakur and his entourage assaulted Davis’ nephew at the MGM Grand just hours before the shooting. Prosecutors claim that the gunfire came from a white Cadillac that Davis was in with three others, all of whom have since died. According to the Associated Press, Davis’ past statements in media interviews and a book he co-authored, “Compton Street Legend,” have become key pieces of evidence in the case.
Davis’ attorney argues that the book is fictionalized and was written to make money, not to tell the truth. Despite Davis’ claims in the book that he was present the night Shakur was shot, he recently told FOX5 that he was not there.