Duane Davis murder trial begins for Tupac Shakur killing

Tupac Shakur Duane Davis Las Vegas murder trial hip-hop history Keefe D

Jury selection has begun in Las Vegas for the murder trial of Duane “Keefe D” Davis, the first person to be formally charged in the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur. Davis, a 63-year-old former leader of the South Side Compton Crips, has pleaded not guilty to one count of murder with a deadly weapon.

Prosecutors allege that Davis orchestrated the drive-by shooting that occurred on September 7, 1996, near the Las Vegas Strip following a boxing match involving Mike Tyson. They claim Davis provided the firearm used in the attack, which was allegedly motivated by a confrontation between Shakur’s entourage and Davis’ nephew, Orlando Anderson, earlier that night.

The case gained renewed momentum following the 2019 publication of Davis’ autobiography, 'Compton Street Legend,' in which he described himself as the ‘shot caller’ present in the vehicle during the shooting. If convicted, Davis faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. The trial is expected to last approximately four to six weeks.

Entities

Death Row Records · Duane Davis · Las Vegas · Marion Knight · South Side Compton Crips · Suge Knight · Tupac Shakur

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] The murder trial is expected to last between four and six weeks. thevaultznews.com · www.ethnos.gr · theghanareport.com
[● 10 SOURCES] Duane Davis is accused of orchestrating the murder of Tupac Shakur and providing the weapon. www.faz.net · www.aztecajalisco.com · thevaultznews.com · www.jutarnji.hr · www.billboard.com · +5 more
[● 8 SOURCES] A conviction for Duane Davis carries a sentence of life in prison without parole. www.aztecajalisco.com · thevaultznews.com · www.jutarnji.hr · www.billboard.com · eldia.com.do · +3 more
[● 10 SOURCES] Tupac Shakur was fatally shot in a drive-by attack on September 7, 1996, in Las Vegas. www.faz.net · www.aztecajalisco.com · thevaultznews.com · www.jutarnji.hr · www.billboard.com · +5 more
[● 11 SOURCES] Jury selection for the trial of Duane Davis began on Monday, August 10, 2026. www.faz.net · www.aztecajalisco.com · thevaultznews.com · www.jutarnji.hr · www.billboard.com · +6 more
[● 10 SOURCES] Tupac Shakur died six days after being shot in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. www.faz.net · www.aztecajalisco.com · thevaultznews.com · www.jutarnji.hr · www.billboard.com · +5 more
[● 10 SOURCES] Duane Davis has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. www.faz.net · www.aztecajalisco.com · thevaultznews.com · www.jutarnji.hr · www.billboard.com · +5 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Duane Davis's autobiography, 'Compton Street Legend', contains admissions regarding his presence in the vehicle during the shooting. www.faz.net · extra.ie · theghanareport.com