Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 63, has been on trial in Las Vegas for a single count of murder with a deadly weapon, accused of orchestrating the 1996 shooting that killed rap superstar Tupac Shakur.
Prosecutors presented a 2008 police interview of Davis, in which he admitted handing the gun used in the drive‑by assault to passenger Deandre "Big Dre" Smith, who in turn handed it to his nephew Orlando Anderson. Davis was alleged to have instructed Anderson to fire, claiming that retaliation against Anderson’s earlier altercation with Shakur was necessary.
While Davis has pleaded not guilty, his lawyer Michael Sanft argued that any admission made in the interview should not be admissible, noting that Davis's later memoir, co‑authored as "Compton Street Legend," may contain fictionalized elements to boost sales.
The court also heard testimonies that Davis had discussed the shooting with industry figures, including Sean "Diddy" Combs, and that he believed his nephew’s safety was threatened after a fight at a Las Vegas casino. He later returned to the courtroom to defend his statements, asking jurors to examine the corroboration of his claims.
A former Las Vegas homicide detective testified that no witnesses could identify the shooter, while a member of Shakur's entourage testified that gang dynamics—particularly involving Orlando Anderson—played a key role in sparking the violent incident.
The trial is part of a 30‑year quest to bring closure to the high‑profile case, with the proceedings expected to continue for several weeks. The outcome may clarify the role of Davis and Anderson in the fatal shooting that occurred on September 7, 1996, as the rap legend was attending a Mike Tyson fight in Las Vegas.
