A Nevada jury has found Duane "Keffe D" Davis guilty of first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon in the 1996 drive-by shooting death of rap icon Tupac Shakur. Davis, 63, could face life in prison after becoming the first person convicted in the nearly 30-year-old case.
The jury deliberated for about three hours following closing arguments in the closely watched trial. Davis's son covered his face with one hand as the verdict was read, while Shakur's sister, Sekyiwa "Set" Shakur, cried in response.
Prosecutor Binu Palal argued in closing statements that Davis obtained a gun and "went hunting" for Shakur and Marion "Suge" Knight after they attacked Davis's nephew. Palal said Davis consistently placed himself inside the Cadillac used in the shooting.
The defense, however, argued that no evidence beyond Davis's statements placed him in Las Vegas or inside the car. The jury heard nine days of testimony from 24 prosecution witnesses and three defense witnesses.
Davis was ordered held without bail pending sentencing, which is scheduled for October 13. The shooting on September 7, 1996, on the Las Vegas Strip left Shakur dead and Knight with minor injuries. Knight recovered from his injuries, while Shakur died six days later at the age of 25.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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