Jury finds ex-gang leader guilty of murder in Tupac killing case

A 12-person jury in Clark County, Nevada, unanimously convicted Duane "Keffe D" Davis of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon for the 1996 killing of hip-hop artist Tupac Shakur. Davis, 63, was accused of orchestrating a drive-by shooting that claimed the life of a prominent figure in rap music, silencing one of rap's most influential voices.

The 11-day trial concluded with Davis expressing his intention to appeal the verdict. Prosecutors argued that Davis' history with street gangs and his public confession in media appearances and a memoir, combined with taped meetings with investigators, provided the necessary evidence to secure the conviction. Davis' lawyer, Michael Sanft, contended that Davis' story could not be corroborated by evidence and accused the prosecution of relying on police corruption and missing files.

Davis, a leader of the Southside Compton Crips, had a longstanding feud with Shakur and his affiliated gang, the Mob Piru. The murder of Shakur in 1996 became a pivotal moment in rap history, contributing to the gangster rap subgenre's rise in popularity.