LAS VEGAS (AP) — A jury consisting of 6 men and 10 women was selected on Thursday to preside over the trial of Duane "Keffe D" Davis, an ex-gang leader accused of orchestrating the killing of the legendary rapper Tupac Shakur nearly 30 years ago. This case, which is a significant chapter in hip-hop history, has drawn widespread attention as it seeks to uncover the truth behind the 1996 drive-by shooting that claimed Shakur’s life.
Opening statements for the murder trial, which will take place in Las Vegas, are scheduled to begin on Monday. For decades, family members, fans, and the wider music community have awaited answers regarding the circumstances surrounding Shakur's death. The rapper was just 25 years old when he was shot near the Las Vegas Strip, amid a fierce rivalry in the music scene, characterized by violent gang affiliations.
Three years ago, authorities charged Davis, identifying him as the "shot caller" who orchestrated the homicide. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted. The jury selection process saw 16 jurors chosen for the trial, which is expected to last around one month. During this process, potential jurors were questioned about various topics, including their favorite books and movies, their views on gangs, and their familiarity with Shakur’s music.
Tupac Shakur remains one of the most influential rappers of all time, having sold over 75 million records globally, including several albums released posthumously. Some of his biggest hits include "California Love" and "Dear Mama." On September 7, 1996, Shakur was a passenger in a BMW driven by Death Row Records co-founder Marion "Suge" Knight when gunfire erupted from a Cadillac at a red light. While Knight survived the shooting, Shakur succumbed to his injuries six days later.
Prosecutors have indicated that while Davis, now 63, did not pull the trigger, he is accused of orchestrating the sequence of events leading to Shakur's death and of providing the firearm used in the incident. Under Nevada law, individuals can be convicted of murder if they assist another in committing the crime. Notably, Davis is the only living person linked to the vehicle from which the shots were fired.
The investigation into Shakur’s murder gained momentum following the release of Davis's book, "Compton Street Legend," in 2019, in which he discusses the shooting and his involvement with the Crips gang. Davis's attorneys attempted to prevent details from the book and various police interviews from being introduced as evidence, arguing that the book included fictional elements and that the earlier interviews should not be used against him as they were supposedly confidential.
Among the potential witnesses for the trial is Suge Knight, who has consistently expressed his disinterest in participating. Knight is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence for a separate incident involving the death of a Compton businessman in 2015 and is the only survivor who was with Shakur during the fatal shooting. Prosecutors anticipate calling between 35 and 45 witnesses, which will include individuals who were present before the shooting, as well as associates of both Shakur and Davis. However, Sean "Diddy" Combs, who Davis claimed had intentions against Shakur and Knight, is not expected to testify.
