Duane “Keffe D” Davis Found Guilty in Tupac Shakur’s Murder

After nearly thirty years, one of Hip-Hop’s most notorious unsolved murder cases has been solved.

On Monday (Aug. 31), a Las Vegas jury found Duane “Keffe D” Davis guilty in the murder of rapper/actor Tupac Shakur.

As reported by the Associated Press, the jury took less than three hours to reach its verdict. It found Davis guilty of first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon with intent to assist a criminal gang. The 63-year-old now faces a maximum life sentence.

Prosecutors say that Davis did not fire the gun that killed Shakur in a drive-by shooting near the Vegas Strip on September 7, 1996. However, it is alleged that either Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson – Davis’ nephew – or another man in the backseat was the shooter.

Instead, Davis, an admitted high-ranking member of the South Side Compton Crips, was accused of being the “shot caller” of the crime.

RELATED: Keffe D Indicted For Murder Of Tupac Shakur, X Says “What Took So Long?”

The Two Sides

Over the past four weeks, prosecutors called over two dozen witnesses. Additionally, they leaned on Davis’ own admissions from interviews and his memoir, plus circumstantial evidence, to plead their case.

“For nearly 18 years, Duane Davis has told the police, television, books, YouTube interviewers — anybody that will listen, he has told — he is responsible for the murder of Tupac Shakur,” said prosecutor Binu Palal. “Tell him you hear him — find him guilty.” 

Meanwhile, defense attorney Michael Sanft argued that Davis’ confessions were fabricated. “We have to ask ourselves the question really at this particular point: Why are we here 30 years later if Duane Davis had actually confessed — truly confessed?” Sanft said.

Reactions In The Courtroom

As reported by CNN, members of Shakur’s family were present in the courtroom as the verdict was read. There were no audible reactions, but the rapper’s sister, Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, appeared to cry quietly.

Davis appeared straight-faced upon hearing his fate. He was seen raising his fist to the audience as he left the courtroom. He is planning to appeal the verdict.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 13.