Keffe D Defense Rests in Tupac Shakur Murder Trial as Case Heads to Closing Arguments

LAS VEGAS — The murder trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis in connection with the 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur is rapidly approaching its conclusion after both prosecutors and the defense rested their cases.

Davis' defense rested Thursday, August 27, after calling just three witnesses — all former Las Vegas police officers. Davis did not take the witness stand.

The prosecution had rested one day earlier after presenting 24 witnesses during its case against Davis. Closing arguments are scheduled for Monday, August 31, after which the case is expected to be turned over to the jury for deliberations.

Davis, 63, has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Prosecutors Build Case Around Keffe D's Own Statements

Tupac Shakur was shot multiple times on September 7, 1996, while riding in a BMW driven by Death Row Records co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight near the Las Vegas Strip.

Shakur died six days later at age 25.

Prosecutors do not accuse Davis of personally firing the shots that killed Shakur. Instead, they allege he helped orchestrate the attack in retaliation for an altercation that occurred earlier that night at the MGM Grand involving Shakur and Davis' nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson.

A major part of the prosecution's case has been Davis' own statements over the years.

Jurors heard portions of police interviews and other recordings in which Davis discussed being inside the white Cadillac involved in the shooting. In a 2008 police interview played during the trial, Davis said he provided the gun and identified Anderson as the person who fired the shots.

The defense maintains that Davis exaggerated or fabricated stories about the Tupac killing for money and notoriety.

Defense Focuses on Lack of Independent Corroboration

The defense's final witness, retired Las Vegas homicide detective Dan Long, testified about investigators' efforts to verify statements Davis made during a 2009 police interview.

Long said investigators were unable to independently verify several details.

Davis had said Anderson went to a Las Vegas hospital after being beaten during the MGM Grand altercation, but Long testified that he could not find hospital records confirming that account.

Long also said investigators were unable to locate records for the white Cadillac Davis said had been rented before the shooting.

Then came an important question from a juror.

Long was asked whether investigators had independently verified that Davis was actually inside the Cadillac when Tupac was shot.

Long acknowledged that, outside of what Davis himself had told investigators, he had no independent facts confirming Davis was inside the vehicle.

That testimony supports one of the defense's central arguments: that prosecutors are relying heavily on Davis' own statements without enough independent evidence connecting him to the shooting.

Prosecutors Point to Details That Matched Their Investigation

Prosecutors, however, highlighted another part of Long's testimony.

Long testified that Davis identified the same four men investigators already believed were inside the Cadillac when Tupac was shot.

Prosecutors contend that details contained in Davis' accounts matched information investigators had developed independently.

The jury will ultimately have to decide whether Davis' statements were reliable admissions about his involvement or, as his defense argues, exaggerated stories told for attention and financial gain.

Detective Says Police Considered Arresting Davis in 2009

Long also revealed that investigators were considering criminal charges against Davis years before his eventual 2023 arrest.

According to Long, after interviewing Davis in 2009, he returned to Las Vegas intending to seek a murder arrest warrant because he believed there was probable cause.

Long testified that prosecutors at the time told him to stand down while they reviewed the case.

Davis would not ultimately be arrested in connection with Tupac's killing until September 2023.

Keffe D Does Not Testify

One of the biggest unanswered questions entering the defense case was whether Davis would testify.

He ultimately chose not to take the witness stand.

A criminal defendant has a constitutional right not to testify, and jurors may not treat that decision as evidence of guilt.

Instead, the defense rested after presenting testimony from three former Las Vegas police officers. The entire evidentiary phase of the trial concluded after nine days of testimony.

What Happens Next?

The Tupac Shakur murder trial has now entered its final stages.

Jurors are scheduled to return Monday, August 31, for closing arguments.

Prosecutors will have one final opportunity to explain why they believe the evidence proves Davis participated in the retaliatory attack.

The defense will argue that the state has failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt and that Davis' decades of statements cannot substitute for reliable independent evidence.

After closing arguments and the judge's final instructions, the case is expected to be handed to the 12-member jury for deliberations.

Nearly 30 years after Tupac Shakur's death, a verdict in the only prosecution ever brought in connection with his killing could now be approaching.

Editor's Note

This article is based on testimony and evidence presented during the ongoing criminal trial, along with reporting from the Associated Press and other publicly available court coverage. Allegations against Duane “Keffe D” Davis remain allegations unless proven in court. Davis has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Reader Question: After hearing about the evidence presented by both sides, do you believe prosecutors have proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt — or does the lack of independent physical evidence raise too many questions?