Jury begins deliberations in Tupac Shakur murder trial

Three decades after the murder of hip-hop artist Tupac Shakur, a jury has begun deliberations in the case against Duane "Keffe D" Davis, a former leader of the South Side Compton Crips. Davis is accused of ordering the September 7, 1996 killing of Shakur after his own nephew was beaten by members of Shakur's entourage at a Las Vegas casino.

Prosecutors argue that Davis acquired a firearm, recruited his gang, and arranged for a gunman to shoot Shakur from a white Cadillac that pulled up alongside the rapper's BMW at a red light. Shakur, who was in Las Vegas for a Mike Tyson fight, was shot and died six days later. Davis is the only surviving person who was in the Cadillac that evening and has repeatedly claimed involvement in the murder through interviews, media appearances, and his autobiography.

However, his defense attorney contends that Davis' confessions are fabrications and lies designed to promote his book, and that there is no evidence implicating him beyond his own statements. If convicted, Davis faces life in prison without parole.