Crime & Justice
CROSS-SPECTRUMBROAD COVERAGE
Trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis proceeds in Las Vegas over 1996 Tupac Shakur killing
Former gang leader Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 63, is on trial in Nevada for allegedly coordinating the September 1996 drive‑by shooting that fatally wounded rapper Tupac Shakur. Davis has entered a not‑guilty plea and faces a possible life sentence if convicted. A jury of six men and ten women was selected earlier this week, and opening statements are scheduled for Monday. The prosecution says Davis arranged the attack and supplied the firearm, while his defense maintains his innocence. The trial is expected to run about a month.
How this was covered
- Left-leaning outlets covered this 8h later
- Right-leaning coverage is the most divided on this story
Why it matters
The case could bring closure to a decades‑old murder that has loomed over hip‑hop culture and the families of those involved.
How this story developed
- Aug 9 Jailphone from alleged Tupac killer emerges just before Las Vegas murder trial
- Aug 10 A seven‑minute jailhouse phone call by Davis has been submitted as evidence.
- Aug 12 Judge Carli Kierny allowed statements from Davis’s memoir to be admitted as evidence.
- Aug 16 A jury was selected and opening arguments are set for Monday.
- Aug 17 Opening statements start Monday in Las Vegas as Duane “Keffe D” Davis faces trial for allegedly orchestrating Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing.
- Aug 17 Opening statements were heard today, marking the start of the trial.
- Aug 18 Davis is reported to be negotiating a Hollywood film deal based on his memoir while incarcerated.
- Aug 18 Autopsy photographs of Tupac Shakur were introduced as evidence in the trial.
- Aug 19 James “Mob James” McDonald became combative while testifying.
- Aug 19 A jury was impaneled this week for the trial.
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