A Nevada jury has convicted Duane "Keffe D" Davis of first-degree murder in the 1996 drive-by shooting death of rap icon Tupac Shakur, according to Reuters. The verdict, reported on Tuesday, came after deliberations that lasted less than three hours, as noted by CNN.
Davis, a former gang leader, was found guilty in connection with the killing that took place in Las Vegas nearly three decades ago. The conviction marks the first time anyone has been held criminally responsible for Shakur's death, which had remained an open case for years. Reuters reported the jury's decision without providing further details on the sentencing phase.
The trial drew widespread attention, with prosecutors urging jurors to convict Davis based on evidence they said linked him to the shooting. According to the Toronto Star, the conviction is for first-degree murder. CNN described the outcome as the end of a 30-year wait for justice in a case that has fascinated the public since Shakur was gunned down at age 25.
Davis's own statements over the years, including admissions made in interviews and a memoir, played a central role in the prosecution's case, according to prior reporting cited by CP24. The Hollywood Reporter noted that while the guilty verdict resolves a key legal question, the full story behind Shakur's killing may still contain unresolved threads, including questions about other potential participants.
The case now moves to the sentencing phase, where Davis faces a potential lengthy prison term. Observers will be watching to see whether the conviction prompts any further legal action against others connected to the 1996 shooting.
