Nearly 30 years after Tupac Shakur was killed in a Las Vegas shooting, jury selection has begun in the trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, who is accused of orchestrating the rapper’s murder.
Davis, 63, faces one count of murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang. He has pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence.
Prosecutors allege Davis ordered the killing and provided the weapon used in the 1996 shooting.
Shakur was shot four times on Sept. 7, 1996, while sitting in a car driven by Death Row Records co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight. The rapper died from his injuries six days later.
Davis was in the white Cadillac from which the shots were fired and has previously described the shooting in his memoir, “Compton Street Legend.”
A Las Vegas detective reportedly discovered the memoir while investigating the long-running cold case. Prosecutors are expected to use statements from the book and Davis’ previous interviews as evidence.
Davis’ defense argues that he exaggerated or embellished parts of his accounts for entertainment purposes.
The trial is expected to last about a month. Prosecutors have confirmed they will not seek the death penalty if Davis is convicted.
