Everything You Need to Know About Keffe D’s Tupac Shakur Murder Trial

Nearly 30 years after Tupac Shakur was shot and killed near the Las Vegas strip following the Mike Tyson versus Bruce Seldon fight at the MGM Grand, one of the alleged culprits is officially on trial for the killing. 

On Monday, August 17, prosecutors will begin opening statements in the trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, an alleged high-profile leader of the South Side Compton Crips in the 1990s. Prosecutors allege that Keffe D was the man who orchestrated the hit on Shakur three decades ago. Most interestingly, though, Keffe D alleged the same thing himself. 

When being brought in for questioning regarding the 1997 murder of The Notorious B.I.G., Keffe D accepted a proffer agreement with the FEDs and Los Angeles authorities. Under the agreement, he could confess to something and prosecutors would be more limited in how they could use his statements against him. During the interview, which took place in 2008, he claimed that Diddy offered to pay him and the South Side Crips $1 million to kill Shakur and Death Row Records cofounder, Suge Knight, both of whom were embroiled in the highly publicized East Coast-West Coast rap feud. Diddy has denied the allegation. 

Keffe D went on to say that, after Shakur and Death Row associates assaulted his nephew, alleged South Side Crip Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, at the MGM Grand, he and the crew made the decision to retaliate. While his statements were originally protected by the proffer agreement, Judge Carli Kierny has ruled that they can be used because Keffe D has since spoken on it publicly. He affirmed the story he told law enforcement during an appearance on the BET documentary, Death Row Chronicles, in 2018. He eventually co-wrote a 2019 memoir (Compton Street Legend) that reaffirmed his involvement. 

After the release of the book, Keffe D embarked on what felt like a lengthy publicity campaign essentially promoting his role in the killing, with VLadTV and Art of Dialogue interviews accumulating millions of YouTube views over the last several years. On Sept. 29, 2023, he was arrested for his alleged role in the killing. Now, he’s on trial. 

Here’s what you need to know about it. 

What Is Keffe D Being Charged With?

Keffe D is being charged with “murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further, or assist a criminal gang.” If his own recounting is to be believed, Keffe D was not the person who actually fired the weapon on the day Tupac was shot — it was someone in the back of his car. In his book, he says that he only passed the weapon to the person who actually fired the lethal shots. Still, Nevada law stipulates that it doesn’t matter if Keffe actually shot Tupac. What matters is whether or not prosecutors can prove that he played a role in facilitating the attack. 

How Much Time Is Keffe D Facing?

Keffe D is facing life in prison. He is 63 years old. 

When Are Opening Statements?

While the trial technically started with jury selection this week, the prosecution and defense teams will deliver their opening statements in Clark County District Court on Monday at 9:30 a.m. PDT. 

Who Are Keffe D’s Lawyers?

Keffe D is being represented by defense attorney Michael Sanft.

What Is Keffe D’s Defense? 

Despite writing a book explaining that he participated in the Tupac Shakur shooting in Las Vegas 30 years ago, Keffe D is now saying that he wasn’t even in Vegas when it unfolded. His attorney is saying that Keffe exaggerated elements of the story in his book in order for it to sell more. 

Who Is on the Jury?

The jury consists of 10 women and 6 men, and they were selected after being questioned about their knowledge of hip-hop, Tupac, guns and gangs. 

Who Is the Judge?

Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny is presiding over the trial. 

How Long Will the Trial Last?

The trial is expected to last four to five weeks. 

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