Tupac Shakur, who stylised his stage name to 2Pac, is one of the biggest names in rap music history, his popularity peaking around the time of his death.
Shakur was born in East Harlem, New York City in 1971, and in his 20s became renowned for songs that touched on social issues like inequality and racism.
He released his debut album in 1991, 2Pacalypse Now, and went on to enjoy chart success with multiple hits including California Love, All Eyez on Me, Changes and I Ain’t Mad at Cha.
The mystery surrounding his drive-by death at the age of 25 has gripped the globe for decades, and has been a significant source of rumour, conspiracy and anger – “Is Tupac really dead?” becoming a question uttered by many fans and true crime slueths.
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Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Since the beginning of the trial, the defence has told us that there is no evidence that Davis was in Vegas on the night of the 7 September 1996.
It is one of the highest profile cities on Earth – with security cameras in every casino, bar and hotel, and on the night in question extra officers were patrolling the streets because of a Mike Tyson fight.
But despite that, there was not a picture, ticket stub or eye witness presented to the jury that could place Davis in the city where the crime was committed.
With the lack of material evidence, this case has boiled down to one man’s word – the defendant’s.
We have sat through hours of recordings from 2008-2009 in which Davis admitted to his part in the murder.
Just before the courtroom emptied out, the judge set Davis’ sentencing date for October 13.
While reading out the procedural steps that are due to take place, the defendant appeared to interrupt by raising his hand.
“I would like my stuff,” he said, rattling off some personal items including his phone.
He continued: “I would like to appeal this matter”. The judge then explained that this could occur once sentencing had concluded.
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A jury has now found Duane “Keffe D” Davis responsible for the hit on Tupac.
A former leader of the South Side Compton Crips street gang, Davis was the “on-ground, on-site commander” who “ordered the death” of Shakur after a fight involving his nephew at a Las Vegas casino, prosecutors had argued.
Davis denied the charges, and his defence team said there is no evidence he orchestrated the murder.
Tupac’s murder case had largely gone cold until public statements made by Davis himself, who published a memoir in 2019 in which he claims he was a passenger in the vehicle that fired into Tupac’s car.
He says in the book that he gave the gun used in the murder to his nephew, Orlando Anderson, who shot the rapper.
Davis was arrested in September 2023.
Defence attorneys argue the book is fictional – but a judge ruled it could be introduced in court.
This has all unfolded really quickly.
The jury deliberated for just three hours before reaching their verdict, finding Davis guilty of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon.
Each juror was then asked to confirm with a simple “yes” that this is the verdict they agreed on for Davis.
Duane “Keffe D” Davis did not change his expression as the jury announced the guilty verdict.
He appeared to sit impassively while he learned his fate.
The 63-year-old was then unceremoniously walked out of the court alongside officers.
The jury has said they have found Davis guilty of murdering Tupac Shakur near the Las Vegas Strip on 7 September 1996.
The drive-by shooting that killed rap superstar Tupac Shakur on 7 September 1996 changed the trajectory of hip-hop and elevated the rapper from the face of the genre to a cultural icon.
His killing became one of popular culture’s great mysteries, with countless theories but no arrests until 2023, when Duane “Keffe D” Davis was unexpectedly charged with murdering the famous rapper.
For the past few weeks, Davis, a 63-year-old former gang boss, has been on trial in Las Vegas.
He’s accused of murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang. He’s pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole.
The jury has reached a verdict in the trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis.
We will shortly be hearing whether he has been found guilty of the murder of rap icon Tupac Shakur in 1996.
Stay with us as we bring you live updates from the court in Las Vegas.
