Nearly 30 years later, former gang leader convicted in Tupac Shakur murder

After nearly three decades, a court verdict has been delivered in one of the most high-profile murders in the history of rap music: the killing of Tupac Shakur.

A jury in Las Vegas found 63-year-old Duane “Keffe D” Davis, a former criminal gang leader, guilty of murder with a deadly weapon in connection with the attack on the rapper on September 7, 1996, the BBC reported.

According to prosecutors, Davis was not the person who opened fire, but he had planned the attack and provided the weapon used by his nephew, Orlando Anderson. According to the prosecution, the act was revenge following a fight between Anderson and Shakur several hours before the attack.

Shakur was shot in a drive-by attack in Las Vegas while traveling in the same vehicle as producer Marion “Suge” Knight. The rapper died several days later, at the age of 25.

For many years, the incident remained one of the biggest criminal mysteries in the United States and was accompanied by numerous conspiracy theories. The murder took place during a tense period for hip-hop, when the conflict between the East Coast and West Coast was closely linked to clashes between the Bloods and the Crips.

A key element of the prosecution’s case was Davis’s own statements. On several occasions, he had publicly claimed that he was in the white Cadillac from which shots were fired at Shakur.

During a secret interview with police in 2008, conducted as part of the investigation into the murder of rapper The Notorious B.I.G., Davis spoke about his involvement in the incident. He also provided further details in his memoir, published in 2019 under the title “Compton Street Legend.”

Prosecutors said these accounts directly linked Davis to the organization of the murder. In his closing argument, prosecutor Binu Palal asked the jury to believe Davis’s statements and find him guilty.

The defense disputed this argument, saying that Davis had exaggerated and created a fabricated story to sell books and gain financially. Attorney Michael Sanft insisted that there was insufficient evidence linking his client to the murder.

Nevertheless, the jury reached a guilty verdict only a few hours after taking up the case for deliberation.

After the verdict was announced, Davis said he would appeal it. The sentencing hearing has been scheduled for October 13.

Tupac Shakur’s family received the verdict with strong emotions. There were hugs and tears in the courtroom, while outside, many fans celebrated after decades of waiting.

Tupac Shakur continues to be considered one of the most influential names in rap music. Worldwide, he has sold more than 75 million records.