Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis Sentenced to 40 Years to Life for Tupac Shakur Murder

LAS VEGAS — A Nevada judge sentenced Duane “Keffe D” Davis to 40 years to life in prison on Tuesday for his conviction in the 1996 murder of hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur. Judge Carli Kierny announced that Davis would receive credit for time already served.

Davis, 63, was found guilty in August of murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote or assist a criminal gang. Although prosecutors indicated they would drop the gang-related enhancement, the conviction stood. Davis had entered a not guilty plea throughout the proceedings.

During the sentencing hearing, Davis addressed the court briefly, requesting the return of personal items, including photographs, seized by law enforcement from his residence. He stated he had nothing further to say beyond his request.

Shakur, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in hip-hop history, died on September 7, 1996, six days after being shot during a drive-by incident at a red light in Las Vegas. The case remained unsolved for decades until Davis began publicly discussing his presence in the white Cadillac that pulled up alongside Shakur’s vehicle.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Binu Palal argued that Davis acted as part of a retaliation against Shakur and Marion “Suge” Knight, the co-founder of Death Row Records. According to Palal, Davis shot Shakur in response to the rapper and Knight allegedly assaulting Davis’ nephew.

Palal acknowledged that Davis had altered aspects of his story over time but emphasized that core details remained consistent, particularly Davis’ account of being inside the white Cadillac from which the fatal shots were fired.

Michael Sanft, an attorney for Davis, contended that no tangible evidence—such as surveillance footage, phone records, or other physical proof—placed his client in Las Vegas on the night of the shooting. Sanft argued that the case relied solely on Davis’ own statements.

Prosecutors maintained that four men occupied the Cadillac at the time of the shooting. Davis was the only survivor among them at the time of his 2023 arrest. Another individual, reportedly the initial holder of the gun used by Davis, has also died.

Davis detailed his involvement in the shooting, which also wounded Knight, in his 2019 memoir, “Compton Street Legend.” Davis’ legal team attempted to block the book from being used as evidence, but the prosecution successfully opposed the motion.