Duane 'Keffe D' Davis has been found guilty of orchestrating the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur, marking the first conviction in a case that has remained unsolved for nearly 30 years. The jury convicted Davis on one count of murder with a deadly weapon related to the drive-by shooting that occurred in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996.
Davis, 63, appeared in court wearing a black suit and remained expressionless as the verdict was announced. He stated his intention to appeal the decision. Family members of Shakur were present in the courtroom, some holding hands and others visibly emotional.
At the time of his death, Shakur was 25 years old and had established himself as a significant figure in the rap industry, with over 75 million records sold worldwide. Prosecutors argued that while Davis did not pull the trigger, he was responsible for ordering the shooting and providing the firearm used by his nephew, Orlando Anderson, who fired the shots.
The prosecution presented evidence that the shooting was planned as retaliation following an altercation between Anderson and Shakur's entourage earlier that day. The case had been one of the most famous cold cases in America, generating numerous conspiracy theories without any prior convictions.
Shakur's murder occurred during a period of intense rivalry between the East Coast and West Coast rap scenes, as well as ongoing gang conflicts involving the Bloods and Crips. The key evidence against Davis included his own admissions regarding his involvement, made during a 2008 police interview and detailed in his 2019 memoir, "Compton Street Legend." These admissions contradicted a protective agreement he had previously established with authorities.
During closing arguments, prosecutor Binu Palal urged jurors to believe Davis's own statements about his role in the murder, emphasizing his position as a leader of the South Side Crips. In contrast, Davis's defense team argued that his claims were exaggerated and intended for profit.
The jury deliberated for a short period before reaching a guilty verdict. Sentencing for Davis is scheduled for October 13. After the verdict, Davis requested personal items from the judge and reiterated his desire to appeal the ruling.