By Lucretia Hughes
LAS VEGAS — Nearly 30 years after Tupac Shakur was fatally shot near the Las Vegas Strip, a jury has finally held someone responsible.
Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 63, was convicted Monday of first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon for orchestrating the 1996 drive-by shooting that killed the 25-year-old rapper.
The jury deliberated for less than three hours following nine days of testimony from 24 prosecution witnesses and three defense witnesses. Davis was ordered held without bail and is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 13. He could spend the rest of his life in prison and has said he intends to appeal. The Associated Press
Finally.
For three decades, Shakur’s family, friends and millions of fans watched one of the most infamous killings in music history remain officially unsolved. Witnesses refused to cooperate, potential suspects died and rumors repeatedly replaced courtroom accountability.
That changed when Davis’ own words became the foundation of the prosecution’s case.
Prosecutors did not accuse Davis of firing the fatal shots. They argued that he obtained the weapon, organized the group and helped carry out the retaliatory attack. Under Nevada law, a person who assists, encourages or facilitates a murder can be held criminally responsible even if someone else pulls the trigger.
Shakur was riding in a black BMW driven by Death Row Records co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight on Sept. 7, 1996, when a white Cadillac pulled beside them at a red light and someone opened fire. Shakur was struck multiple times and died six days later. Knight was wounded but survived.
The shooting followed a confrontation inside the MGM Grand after a Mike Tyson fight. Shakur and members of Knight’s entourage were captured on surveillance video attacking Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, Davis’ nephew.
Prosecutors said Davis and three other men later began searching for Shakur and Knight. Davis repeatedly acknowledged being inside the Cadillac and described supplying the gun that was passed into the back seat.
Davis discussed the killing during a 2008 law-enforcement interview, in documentaries, on podcasts and in his 2019 memoir, “Compton Street Legend.” Those public statements helped investigators revive the case and ultimately led to his 2023 arrest.
His defense attorney, Michael Sanft, argued that Davis fabricated or exaggerated the stories for money and notoriety. He also emphasized the absence of DNA, phone records, surveillance footage or other physical evidence placing Davis inside the Cadillac.
The jury rejected that defense.
After the verdict was announced, Shakur’s sister, Sekyiwa Shakur, cried and embraced members of the prosecution team. Davis requested the return of his personal belongings and informed the judge that he wanted to appeal. The Associated Press
But this verdict should not end the investigation.
During the 2008 interview played for jurors, Davis alleged that Sean “Diddy” Combs offered $1 million to have Shakur and Knight killed. That allegation has never been proven, and Combs has repeatedly denied having any involvement in Shakur’s death. Combs has not been charged in connection with the killing. People
Those distinctions matter. No one should be convicted through rumor, documentaries or social-media speculation.
But an unproven allegation is not the same thing as an allegation that should be ignored.
A jury has now determined that Davis was telling enough of the truth about his own involvement to convict him of murder. Authorities should therefore examine every remaining claim, payment trail, communication and possible participant connected to the case.
Go where the evidence leads — whether it leads to Sean “Diddy” Combs, someone else or no additional charges at all.
Tupac Shakur’s family waited 30 years for this measure of justice. They should not have to wait another 30 years for investigators to answer the questions that remain.
Original article
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