Duane “Keefe D” Davis, who had previously boasted of his involvement in the murder of rap icon Tupac Shakur, pleaded not guilty in a US court on Thursday. Despite openly acknowledging his role in the slaying, Davis was charged over the murder that took place a quarter of a century ago. The charges allege that he was part of the gang feud but not the individual who wielded the weapon.
Davis, now 60, and a former member of Compton’s South Side Crips gang, has long claimed his involvement in the murder as the “on-site commander” in an attempt to assassinate Shakur and Death Row Records boss Marion “Suge” Knight. This was allegedly in retaliation for an assault on his nephew. However, during a court hearing in Las Vegas, Davis officially denied the charge of murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further, or assist a criminal gang.
Under Nevada law, anyone who aids or abets a murder can be charged with the killing, much like how a getaway driver can be charged with bank robbery even if they never entered the bank.
Prosecutors revealed that they would not seek the death penalty if Davis is convicted.
“We talked about it, and I determined that it’s not a case in which we should seek the death penalty,” stated Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson.
Tupac Shakur, known for hit songs such as “California Love,” “Changes,” and “Dear Mama,” was a prominent figure in the hip-hop world when he was tragically shot and killed on September 7, 1996, at the age of 25. He was signed to Death Row Records, which was associated with Los Angeles street gang Mob Piru, marking a longstanding feud with the South Side Compton Crips.
The case saw renewed attention when Davis was arrested, and prosecutors finally had enough admissible evidence to advance the case. Davis’s statements in his autobiography and television interviews have provided new leads for the investigation. Wolfson confirmed that these statements would be considered in the trial.