A former Los Angeles-area gang leader, Duane “Keffe D” Davis, who is accused of killing rapper Tupac Shakur in 1996 in Las Vegas, is seeking permission from a judge to be released from jail to prepare for his upcoming murder trial. Davis’ attorney filed documents on Thursday, requesting a hearing next week to ask for a $750,000 bond for his release to house arrest with electronic monitoring.
Davis, who has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, has been in custody at the Clark County Detention Center since his arrest on September 29. His trial is scheduled for November 4, and if convicted, he could face life in prison.
Prosecutors have requested a “source hearing” to ensure that any funds used for Davis’ release are obtained legally. The bail bond is backed by Crum & Forster Insurance and North River Insurance Co.
Originally from Compton, California, Davis has been living with his family in Henderson, a suburb of Las Vegas. He is the only surviving member of a group of individuals who were present during the shooting that killed Shakur and injured rap mogul Marion “Suge” Knight in 1996.
Davis has publicly admitted to orchestrating the shooting but denies being the actual gunman. Recent police investigations led to a raid at his Henderson home last July.
Prosecutors claim to have substantial evidence against Davis, including self-incriminating statements made during interviews and in his 2019 memoir. Davis had previously claimed immunity for providing information about the Shakur and Christopher Wallace shootings in Los Angeles.
Defense attorney Carl Arnold has expressed doubts about Davis’ credibility, stating that his accounts were motivated by financial gain. Arnold does not anticipate Davis testifying at the trial but plans to call Knight as a witness.
Arnold asserts that there is a lack of concrete evidence linking Davis to the crime, such as the murder weapon or vehicle used in the shooting. He believes that the prosecution’s case against Davis is weak.
Ken Ritter
