Who is Duane 'Keffe D' Davis? 5 things to know as Tupac Shakur murder trial begins

Duane Keith Davis, known as “Keffe D,” is the only individual currently facing charges in connection with the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur. Prosecutors allege that Davis, a former gang leader, played a role in orchestrating the drive-by shooting that claimed Tupac's life. He was apprehended in September 2023 and has pleaded not guilty to murder with a weapon.

The murder trial commenced on Monday at Clark County District Court in Las Vegas, with jury selection underway. Here are five key facts about Davis as the trial gets underway:

1. Davis has recounted his journey through the gang world while running a significant drug operation in California. He has a history of criminal activity and has served time in prison.

2. Davis is identified as the last living person prosecutors claim was present in the white Cadillac involved in the shooting incident. On September 7, 1996, Tupac was traveling in a car driven by Death Row Records co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight after a Mike Tyson fight in Las Vegas. A white Cadillac pulled up alongside their vehicle, and gunfire erupted. Tupac was shot four times and passed away six days later at the age of 25.

3. Prosecutors assert that the shooting was a retaliatory act following an altercation at a casino the previous night, where Tupac and others reportedly assaulted Davis' nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson. Davis is charged with murder, along with a gang enhancement. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

4. Davis has not been accused of pulling the trigger, but prosecutors argue he played a pivotal role in organizing the shooting and supplying the weapon. Both the 2019 memoir, "Compton Street Legend," and a 2008 police interview have been deemed admissible at trial, as they contain statements where Davis places himself at the scene and implicates his late nephew as one of the shooters.

5. Davis and his legal team argue that his earlier accounts were not truthful, suggesting he made the claims for financial gain, publicity, book sales, or under the guise of confidentiality or immunity. Tupac's murder remained unsolved for years until Davis' public statements reignited interest in the case. He was arrested in September 2023 near his home in Henderson, Nevada, following a grand jury indictment.

Davis is currently in custody while his attorneys seek bail. The trial has also been postponed multiple times as the defense prepares its case. Jury selection is ongoing and expected to span several days, with a potential trial duration of four to six weeks. Seating in the courtroom is limited, with some spectators chosen via lottery, and an overflow room will display a live feed of the proceedings.

Suge Knight, who is currently serving a prison sentence for an unrelated manslaughter conviction, might potentially be called as a witness, although he has expressed no desire to testify. The trial might not conclusively determine who fired the fatal shots, as the other individuals present in the Cadillac have since passed away.