Watch live as the trial of a man accused of orchestrating the killing of Tupac Shakur begins. Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 63, is charged with murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang in the rapper’s death. He pleaded not guilty, but if convicted, faces life in prison.
Prosecutors do not claim that Davis fired the fatal shots that killed Shakur, but instead allege he orchestrated the killing in retaliation for the beating of Davis’ nephew, Orlando Anderson. On 7 September, 1996, Shakur, 25, was killed in a drive-by shooting. His death remains one of the most high-profile, unsolved murders in American history.
Whilst countless theories and conspiracies gripped the world for decades, it was only in 2023, when David was charged, that an arrest was made. Davis was a leader of the South Side Compton Crips gang in California at the time of Shakur’s death. Over the course of the trial, which begins on Monday (17 August) in Los Angeles, prosecutors plan to call between 35 and 45 potential witnesses, and the defence will call only a handful to testify.
Shakur’s family are expected to be in the courtroom on Monday, where opening statements are being read. His stepbrother, Maurice “Mopreme” Shakur, recently said that sitting through the trial will be traumatising for the family; it is important they are there to “stand by Pac”. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial.
This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. The trial is expected to last for a month. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Extract — continue reading at the source.
