Jury finds Duane Davis guilty in 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur

A jury in Las Vegas has convicted Duane Keffe D Davis of the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur, marking the first conviction in a high-profile case that has captivated fans of hip-hop for decades. The 63-year-old Davis was found guilty of murder with a deadly weapon and intent to further a criminal gang's agenda. He faces a potential life sentence. Davis pleaded not guilty during the week-long trial, which saw 24 prosecution witnesses and three defense witnesses testify over nine days.

According to prosecutors, Davis acquired a gun and went hunting for Shakur and Death Row Records co-founder Marion Suge Knight after they allegedly beat up Davis' nephew earlier that night. Chief Deputy District Attorney Binu Palal highlighted that Davis' accounts of the killing changed over time, reflecting his changing motivations and attempts to protect himself. However, one consistent detail was Davis' claim of being in a white Cadillac from which the shots were fired.

The defense argued that there was no evidence placing Davis in Las Vegas or inside the Cadillac on the night of the shooting. They pointed to the lack of surveillance footage, phone records, and other evidence. Davis' defense attorney challenged jurors to find any evidence outside Davis' own statements that could place him in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996.

The panel of 16 jurors, including four alternates, heard testimony from 24 prosecution witnesses and three defense witnesses. The trial brought to a close a decades-old case that had drawn attention from hip-hop fans and true crime experts alike.