Duane Keith Davis, a 60-year-old man known as “Keffe D,” stepped into a Las Vegas courtroom for the second occasion this past Thursday. Known for his alleged role in the murder of the prolific rapper Tupac Shakur, Davis’s arraignment was postponed yet again. The arraignment, where Davis faces a charge of murder with use of a deadly weapon stemming from the gang-related homicide of Shakur, was previously delayed two weeks ago.
Donned in a navy prison jumpsuit, Davis, shackled at both hands and feet, stood before Judge Tierra D. Jones. Davis’s request for additional time to organize his attorney’s presence led to the first postponement. Upon his return to court, his legal representative, Ross Goodman, asked for another two-week continuance. Compelled by the need to advance the proceedings, Judge Jones relented, granting the two-week continuance, while emphatically stating, “but in two weeks we’ve got to get this case moving.”
Planning to deny his guilt, Davis, who is due in court on November 2, stands accused of masterminding the fatal shooting that ended Shakur’s life prematurely. The influential rapper, whose brief yet impactful career immortalized him as a significant figure in the world of hip-hop, died an untimely death, sparking numerous conspiracy theories.
While Davis remains innocent until proven guilty, he is the sole surviving suspect in this case, which took decades to investigate. Key witnesses have emerged over recent years and physical evidence from Davis’s residence is expected to be integral to the trial. Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson emphasized that they wanted more than just Davis’s admission, aiming to strengthen the case against him with ample corroborative proof.
Davis is currently being held without bail, a condition Wolfson’s office intends to maintain. In Wolfson’s view, the existing evidence indicates a strong likelihood of Davis’s conviction, justifying the request for a no-bail setting.
Despite being involved in the case, Edi Faal, Davis’s Los Angeles-based personal attorney, refrained from commenting but indicated his efforts to secure local representation for his client in Nevada.
Davis has confessed to being present at the scene of Shakur’s murder, claiming he rode in the front seat of a white Cadillac from which the shots were fired. Authorities argue that the murder was a form of retaliation for an attack on Davis’s nephew, Orlando Anderson, stemming from a broader gang conflict.
In the aftermath of the fatal shooting, Davis purportedly schemed to retaliate against Shakur and Marion “Suge” Knight, the CEO of Death Row Records. Serving as the “shot-caller” for those involved, Davis allegedly provided the murder weapon. Admission of involvement came from Davis himself in 2009, but due to a proffer agreement, no charges could be brought against him at the time.
Investigations were renewed in 2018 primarily because of “Davis’ own admissions to his involvement.” Authorities considered it the last chance to resolve the case. Furthermore, a recent search at Davis’ wife’s residency in Henderson, Nevada, led police to seize Davis’s memoir that reveals unknown dimensions about his street gang life and the shooting incident.
