Prosecutor says ex-gang leader led hunt that killed Tupac Shakur

Las Vegas, United States. A prosecutor told jurors during closing arguments on Monday that Duane “Keffe D” Davis led a group of men who hunted down and killed hip-hop artist Tupac Shakur after Shakur and his entourage beat up Davis’ nephew.

Davis, 63, has pleaded not guilty to one count of murder using a deadly weapon in Nevada’s Clark County. The trial, now in its third week, concerns Shakur’s 1996 killing.

Prosecution’s case

Binu Palal of the Clark County District Attorney’s Office said Davis sought revenge after Shakur beat his nephew at a casino on September 7, 1996.

“So what did he do? He acquired a firearm, got his group together, and went hunting for Mr. Shakur,” Palal told jurors.

Police said they had long suspected Davis but lacked sufficient evidence to charge him until he described his role in media appearances and a memoir. Those statements, along with recordings of secret meetings with investigators, make up much of the prosecution’s case.

Evidence presented to jurors

Over the past two weeks, prosecutors played recordings in which Davis said he was angered by the beating of his nephew by Shakur and his entourage.

During an unrelated investigation, Davis told police that he and three other men, including his nephew, drove through Las Vegas in a white Cadillac looking for Shakur and record executive Marion “Suge” Knight on the night of the beating.

Davis said he passed a gun to the backseat and that one of the two men seated there opened fire after they found Knight and Shakur’s vehicle.

Prosecutors have not identified the shooter. The three other men who were in the Cadillac have died. Under Nevada law, Davis can face a murder charge even if he did not fire the weapon.

Defence position

Davis’ lawyer was due to deliver closing arguments after prosecutors. During opening statements, the lawyer said Davis’ statements were bravado that could not be corroborated.

The defence also argued that there is no hard evidence supporting Davis’ account or proving that he was in Las Vegas at the time of the killing.

Gang rivalry

Davis was a leader of the South Side Compton Crips, a Los Angeles-area street gang that feuded with Mob Piru. Mob Piru was associated with Shakur and his record label, Death Row Records.