LAS VEGAS (AP) — Duane “Keffe D” Davis was sentenced Tuesday to 40 years to life in prison for plotting the murder of rap icon Tupac Shakur, who was gunned down on the Las Vegas Strip more than 30 years ago.
Davis, 63, was convicted in August of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon. He is the only person charged in the death of Shakur, whose popularity peaked at age 25.
Prosecutor Mark DiGiacomo said Tuesday that Davis is “destined to die in prison” no matter what sentence the court imposes.
“This is more than just losing a family member,” DiGiacomo said, as Shakur’s sister, Sekiva “Sette” Shakur, nodded in the audience.
The murder remained unsolved for years until Davis, the former leader of the South Side Compton Crips, was interviewed and released his role in the shooting in his 2019 memoir.
DiGiacomo said Davis was trying to profit from the killings he committed and therefore he should not receive the minimum sentence.
“In my opinion, he deserves the maximum possible sentence,” DiGiacomo said.
Davis spoke briefly in court, telling Judge Cali Kilney that he wanted items taken from his home by police, including his photo, returned. Asked if he had anything else to say, Davis said: “No, I’m fine.”
Davis’ attorney, Michael Sanft, said he plans to appeal the verdict. Sanft said prosecutors waited too long to file charges.
Read more: Forensic pathologist details Tupac Shakur’s fatal injuries in Duane “Kev D” Davis trial
On the evening of September 7, 1996, Shakur was sitting in the passenger seat of a black BMW with music mogul Marion “Suge” Knight when a white Cadillac stopped at a red light and gunshots rang out. Shakur was shot multiple times and died six days later, but Knight survived.
Shakur is considered one of the most influential and versatile rappers of all time and was having a thriving film career as an actor at the time of his death. His legend has only grown since then. His songs still resonate with fans with their themes of suffering, love and black struggle.
In his memoir, Davis explains how Shakur and members of his entourage beat Davis’ nephew hours before the Las Vegas shooting. He said he sought revenge and said he was sitting in the passenger seat of the Cadillac and passed the gun to the back seat, where he fired it. Davis spoke with detectives years ago but avoided prosecution because of a deal he made with law enforcement.
During the weeks-long trial, prosecutors relied on statements Davis himself made to law enforcement and documentary makers. They believe Davis orchestrated the shooting and provided the gun that led to Shakur’s death, which was the result of a rivalry between the Compton Crips and Mob Piru on the South Side. Davis’ defense attorney pointed to the lack of physical evidence linking his client to the 30-year-old crime and painted Davis as a conman trying to make money.
After hearing testimony for nine days in August, the jury deliberated for three hours before returning a guilty verdict.
Shakur is an icon, a brother
Shakur’s family spoke at the sentencing, including his siblings Maurice “Mopreme” Shakur and Sekiva “Sette” Shakur.
After the verdict, prosecutor Binu Palal said that for many people, Shakur was an icon or an idea, “but for this family, Tupac Shakur was a brother, a son, a cousin, a loved one that was taken from them 30 years ago.”
Parral said Davis’ family had to endure years of Davis “bragging about killing their loved ones.”
“They loved that man. The arrogance with which Mr. Davis expressed his joy in killing that man ultimately led to his undoing,” Parral said.
Prosecutors say they don’t have enough evidence to charge others
Davis is the only person charged and convicted in Shakur’s killing. Three other people inside the Cadillac are said to have died, including Davis’ nephew Orlando “Baby Ryan” Anderson, who Davis said was the one who pulled the trigger.
Sean “Diddy” Combs and his alleged role were mentioned frequently throughout the trial. Witnesses testified that Combs used members of the South Side Compton Crips to protect Bad Boy Records. Davis claimed in his book and in public statements that Combs offered him money to kill Shakur and Knight. Combs, who is currently serving a four-year prison sentence for prostitution-related crimes, has repeatedly denied having anything to do with Shakur’s death.
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said his office did not believe there was enough evidence to charge anyone else.
“But just like any other case, if we get more information, more evidence, we can always consider bringing additional charges,” he said after the guilty verdict. “But today, we don’t think that was the appropriate move.”
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