{"id":8138,"date":"2026-09-01T04:15:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T04:15:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=8138"},"modified":"2026-09-01T04:15:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T04:15:09","slug":"jury-convicts-a-man-of-first-degree-murder-for-the-1996-killing-of-rap-icon-tupac-shakur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=8138","title":{"rendered":"Jury convicts a man of first-degree murder for the 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur"},"content":{"rendered":"

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. and JESSICA HILL, Associated Press<\/strong><\/p>\n

LAS VEGAS (AP) \u2014 A jury found\u00a0Duane \u201cKeffe D\u201d Davis\u00a0guilty of orchestrating the 1996 killing of\u00a0rap icon Tupac Shakur, marking the first conviction in a case that has gripped hip-hop fans for decades.<\/p>

Read more Tech company buys San Jose buildings for potential expansion site<\/a><\/p>\n

The 63-year-old Davis was convicted Monday of murder with the use of a deadly weapon and could be sentenced to life in prison. The jury deliberated for 3 hours after a weekslong trial in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

Chief Deputy District Attorney Binu Palal told jurors in closing arguments that Davis acquired a gun and \u201cwent hunting\u201d for Shakur and Death Row Records\u00a0co-founder Marion \u201cSuge\u201d Knight\u00a0after they beat up Davis\u2019 nephew earlier that night.<\/p>\n

Palal acknowledged that Davis\u2019 accounts of the killing evolved over the years but argued those differences reflected Davis\u2019 changing motivations and efforts to protect himself. One critical detail, he said, remained consistent: Davis repeatedly placed himself inside\u00a0a white Cadillac from\u00a0which the shots were fired.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe core facts remain. The material facts remain,\u201d Palal said.<\/p>\n

Davis\u2019 defense attorney, Michael Sanft, challenged jurors to identify evidence outside Davis\u2019 own statements that placed him in Las Vegas or inside the Cadillac on the night Shakur was shot. He pointed to the absence of surveillance footage, phone records and other evidence putting Davis there.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have nothing in this case that says that man was here in Las Vegas on Sept. 7, 1996,\u201d Sanft said, pointing toward Davis.<\/p>

\n<\/div>\n