3 Decades Later, Keefe D Goes on Trial for Tupac Shakur’s Murder

Almost 30 years after Tupac Shakur was fatally shot on a Las Vegas street, the only person ever charged in connection with the murder is finally facing a jury.

Jury selection began today, August 10, and Duane “Keefe D” Davis, 63, a former leader of the South Side Compton Crips has pleaded not guilty to murder with a deadly weapon. If convicted, he faces the possibility of life in prison without parole.

Prosecutors allege Davis helped orchestrate the September 7, 1996 attack that ultimately killed Tupac. Earlier that night, Tupac Shakur and members of his entourage had been involved in an altercation with the nephew of Keefe D.

Hours later, a white Cadillac pulled alongside the BMW Shakur and Marion “Suge” Knight were riding in, and someone inside opened fire. Shakur was struck four times and died six days later. For decades, the murder remained officially unsolved.

Now, some of the strongest evidence prosecutors hope to use against Keefe D, comes from Keefe D Davis himself!

Keefe D has publicly discussed the shooting numerous times over the years and wrote about the case in his 2019 memoir, Compton Street Legend. He has acknowledged being inside the Cadillac and has described providing the gun used in the attack, although he maintains that he was not the shooter.

Under Nevada law, prosecutors do not necessarily have to prove Davis pulled the trigger. Their case alleges he supplied the weapon and orchestrated the retaliation that led to Shakur’s death. Davis’ attorneys are expected to challenge both the credibility and context of statements he made over the years.

Most commentators are trying to figure out why this is taking place after three entire decades.

Boss Talk 101 hosts E CEO and OG Piru sat down to discuss the proceedings, with OG offering his own perspective on what may be at stake for Keefe D as the case unfolds.

“Keefe is going to be a sacrificial lamb if he doesn’t do what he needs to do.” — OG Piru

Whether the trial supports that assessment remains to be seen. He is the only surviving alleged occupant of the Cadillac facing prosecution for one of the most infamous murders in hip-hop history.

After all the talk and speculation that’s taken place since I was 4 years old, the conversation is finally hitting a courtroom.

Tupac Shakur died at 25 years old, but his influence lived on.

His music, his poetry, his politics and contradictions have been examined by generations who weren’t even alive when he was killed. Meanwhile, the circumstances surrounding his death became almost inseparable from his legacy.

For years, the question has been simple:

Who killed Tupac?

Maybe we’re getting closer to the answer.