Jury convicts a man of first-degree murder for the 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur

An ex-gang leader named Duane “Keffe D” Davis was found guilty of murder on Monday for his involvement in the drive-by shooting that killed hip-hop star Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas, according to prosecutors. The jury deliberated for nearly three hours before reaching a verdict in a 11-day trial held in a downtown Las Vegas courtroom. Davis, 63, faces a potential life sentence without the possibility of parole if sentenced on October 13. He stated that he plans to appeal the decision.

Prosecutors allege that Davis orchestrated the murder as part of a gang feud, as evidenced by his public statements and a memoir detailing his interactions with law enforcement. Under the code of respect in street gangs, Davis is believed to have sought revenge for his nephew being beaten by Shakur and his associates, leading him to acquire a firearm and gather his group to pursue Shakur and his entourage.

Davis and three others, including his nephew, went in search of Shakur and his record executive, Marion “Suge” Knight, in a white Cadillac. One of the men in the backseat allegedly opened fire on the car, leading to Shakur's death. While the prosecution has not named the shooter, the others in the car have since passed away. Davis' lawyer, Michael Sanft, argued that his client's story could not be corroborated by evidence and suggested that the case was tainted by police corruption, mismanagement, and missing files.