Ex-gang boss guilty of orchestrating 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur

Former gang boss Duane "Keffe D" Davis has been found guilty of orchestrating the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur, marking the first conviction in this cold case that had puzzled hip-hop fans for over 30 years. The jury concluded Davis was guilty of one count of murder with a deadly weapon for the shooting incident that occurred in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996.

The 63-year-old remained silent during the verdict, stating he would appeal the decision. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Davis had not only been present in the car from where the shots were fired but also ordered the shooting and supplied the gun used by his nephew Orlando Anderson. Davis, a former leader of the South Side Compton Crips street gang, was convicted despite his claims of not personally firing the gun.

Shakur, who was 25 at the time of his death, was a significant figure in rap music, with sales exceeding 75 million records worldwide. The case had remained unsolved for nearly three decades, fueling numerous conspiracy theories but never leading to a conviction until this recent verdict. The case was fueled by Davis' own statements during a 2008 police interview and his subsequent memoir, which led to the lifting of a protective agreement that had previously blocked criminal charges.

Outside the court, Shakur's family, friends, and fans reacted with shock and emotion, as Davis has also indicated his intention to appeal the verdict.