A high-profile murder case involving the death of iconic rapper Tupac Shakur faces new developments as the only suspect charged in the decades-old killing appears in a Las Vegas courtroom.
According to AP News, Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny has denied a motion to dismiss murder charges against Duane "Keffe D" Davis, ruling that the defendant failed to provide evidence of alleged immunity agreements with authorities.
The decision marks a significant turning point in the long-unsolved case, as Davis's legal team had argued that previous deals with federal and local authorities should protect him from prosecution.
His attorney, Carl Arnold, also contested the 27-year delay in bringing charges, claiming it violated his client's constitutional rights.
The ruling sets the stage for a potential appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court, with Davis's defense team planning to evaluate their options in the coming days. The trial, currently scheduled for March 17, could face delays pending any appeal proceedings.
Davis, who remains in Las Vegas custody after pleading not guilty to first-degree murder charges, faces mounting pressure as prosecutors point to his own published accounts of the shooting. The 61-year-old former gang leader's memoir contains detailed descriptions of the events leading to Shakur's death.
The prosecution's case heavily relies on Davis's public statements and written confessions, including his admission to providing the weapon used in the fatal shooting. These self-incriminating revelations have become central to the state's argument against dismissal.
The shooting occurred near the Las Vegas Strip in 1996, following a casino altercation between Shakur and Davis's nephew, Orlando "Baby Lane" Anderson. The incident's aftermath has become one of hip-hop's most enduring mysteries.
Attorney Carl Arnold expressed his concerns about the case, stating:
The indictment against his 61-year-old client is an egregious violation of his constitutional rights because of a 27-year delay in prosecution.
Davis's arrest in September 2023 near his Las Vegas residence came almost three decades after the shooting.
His involvement in the case gained attention through his 2019 memoir, where he detailed his role as a Crips gang leader and described obtaining the .40-caliber handgun used in the shooting.
The murder case against Duane "Keffe D" Davis represents the culmination of a 27-year investigation into Tupac Shakur's death. Davis, arrested in September 2023, faces first-degree murder charges for allegedly orchestrating the fatal shooting near the Las Vegas Strip in 1996.
As the last living suspect in the case, Davis's trial could provide long-awaited answers about the death of Shakur, who was killed at age 25, while his multi-platinum album "All Eyez on Me" dominated music charts.
