The trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 63, who is accused of orchestrating the killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, began today, Monday, 17 August, in Los Angeles. Mr Davis has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang.
Prosecutors do not claim that Mr Davis fired the fatal shots in the 1996 drive-by shooting that killed Shakur, but instead allege he orchestrated the killing. This was reportedly in retaliation for the beating of Mr Davis’ nephew, Orlando Anderson. Mr Davis was a leader of the South Side Compton Crips gang at the time of Shakur’s death.
The trial is expected to last for a month. Prosecutors plan to call between 35 and 45 potential witnesses, while the defence will call a smaller number. Shakur’s family, including his stepbrother Maurice “Mopreme” Shakur, are expected to be in court for the opening statements.