LAS VEGAS — The sole suspect charged in the 1996 killing of rap legend Tupac Shakur, Duane “Keffe D” Davis, has lost his motion to dismiss the murder case.
Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny ruled Tuesday that Davis is not protected from prosecution, as he failed to provide evidence of immunity agreements he claimed to have made with federal and local authorities in California.
Davis and his lawyer, Carl Arnold, argued that the case violated his constitutional rights due to a 27-year delay in prosecution and immunity deals allegedly in place. However, the judge found no proof of intentional delay or immunity agreements.
Following the decision, Arnold stated they are considering an appeal to the state Supreme Court. Davis, who has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, remains in custody in Las Vegas, with his trial set for March 17. However, the trial may face delays pending the appeal.
Prosecutors assert they have strong evidence, including Davis’ admissions in his 2019 memoir, where he recounted the events surrounding the shooting. Davis, a former gang leader, is accused of orchestrating the shooting near the Las Vegas Strip after a casino altercation between Shakur and Davis’ nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson.
Davis, arrested in September 2023 near Las Vegas, is the last living suspect in the case. Anderson, who denied involvement in the shooting, died in 1998, while the other two men in the car that night are also deceased.
Shakur’s death at age 25 remains one of hip-hop’s most enduring tragedies. At the time, his fourth solo album, All Eyez on Me, dominated the charts with over 5 million copies sold. Considered one of the most influential rappers in history, Shakur left behind a lasting legacy in music and culture.
Source: Swifteradio.com