A Las Vegas jury has found Duane “Keffe D” Davis guilty of first-degree murder in connection with the 1996 killing of legendary rapper Tupac Shakur.
Davis, 63, was convicted on Monday after jurors deliberated for less than three hours following a weeks-long trial, marking the first conviction in a case that has remained unresolved for nearly three decades.
The verdict followed proceedings in which prosecutors accused Davis of orchestrating the killing, while his defence team challenged the evidence and questioned the credibility of key witnesses.
Shakur was shot on September 7, 1996, while travelling in a BMW driven by Marion “Suge” Knight near the Las Vegas Strip. A white Cadillac reportedly pulled alongside their vehicle at a traffic light, and shots were fired. Shakur died six days later, while Knight survived.
The killing was linked to a longstanding rivalry between the Mob Piru Bloods, with whom Shakur and Knight were associated, and the South Side Compton Crips, a gang Davis was alleged to have led.
The case remained cold for years before renewed attention followed interviews
During closing arguments, prosecutors argued that Davis had repeatedly acknowledged his role in the killing and urged jurors to hold him accountable.
The defence, however, maintained that prosecutors had failed to present sufficient evidence linking Davis directly to the shooting. His lawyer, Carl Arnold Sanft, also questioned the reliability of witnesses and pointed to other individuals who were allegedly in the Cadillac but were never prosecuted.
Following the verdict, Davis was ordered held without bail pending sentencing. He told the judge that he intended to appeal the decision and requested the return of personal belongings, including jewellery and phones.
The judge indicated that an appeal would follow the sentencing process.
Davis could face life imprisonment. The prosecution also said it would dismiss the gang-enhancement portion of the charge because of witness-related logistical issues.
Shakur’s sister, Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, was among the family members in court when the verdict was delivered. She was seen crying as relatives and supporters reacted to the decision.
The conviction marks a major development in the long-running investigation into the death of one of hip-hop’s most influential artists, whose music and cultural legacy continue to resonate with fans around the world.
