But in the three decades since the shooting, questions have gone unanswered, conspiracy theories floated around, and fans have remained convinced that we would never really see justice served. And in the decades it took the case to reach a courtroom, Keefe D has spent years publicly discussing his alleged involvement before his arrest in September 2023. Now, his own interviews, memoir and previous statements are among the evidence prosecutors want a jury to consider.

With a jury finally selected and opening statements set for Monday that could lead to a potential resolution in this chapter of hip-hop history, here’s everything you need to know about the Tupac murder trial.

Who Is Keefe D?

Duane “Keefe D” Davis is a former member of the South Side Compton Crips who has been one of the most consistent figures in the cold case. He was the uncle of Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, a gang member who Tupac allegedly assaulted at the MGM Grand. Davis was with Anderson and other associates on the night Tupac was shot. However, according to the prosecutors, the group sought revenge after Tupac assaulted Anderson.  

What Happened To Tupac Shakur?

On September 7, 1996, Tupac attended a Mike Tyson boxing match at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with Death Row Records co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight. After the fight, Tupac and members of Knight’s entourage encountered Orlando Anderson inside the casino. Anderson had been involved in a previous dispute with a member of Tupac’s entourage, and a fight broke out.

Later that night, Tupac and Knight were driving through Las Vegas in a BMW when a white Cadillac pulled alongside them. Someone inside the Cadillac opened fire, striking Tupac multiple times. Knight was also wounded, but survived. Tupac was taken to University Medical Center and died six days later, on September 13, 1996. He was 25 years old.

Why Is Keefe D Charged With Tupac’s Murder If He Didn’t Shoot Him?

This is one of the most crucial details about the case. Davis is not accused of personally firing the shots that killed Tupac. Prosecutors allege that he helped organize the retaliatory attack and provided the weapon used in the shooting.

Under Nevada law, someone can be held criminally responsible for a murder if they intentionally participate in or aid the crime, even if another person physically commits the killing. That means the prosecution does not necessarily have to prove that Davis was the person holding the gun when Tupac was shot. Instead, prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Davis knowingly participated in the killing. The distinction is particularly important because the person long associated with the role of shooter, Orlando Anderson, died in 1998 without ever being charged in Tupac’s murder.

Why Did It Take Nearly 30 Years To Arrest Keefe D?

Tupac’s murder remained unsolved for decades, despite investigators knowing about the confrontation involving Anderson and the gang rivalry surrounding the shooting. Davis, however, eventually became unusually outspoken about the case. Over the years, he appeared in documentaries and interviews discussing what happened on the night Tupac was killed. He also detailed his account of the shooting in his 2019 memoir, Compton Street Legend. Those public statements eventually became important to investigators and prosecutors, as well.

Las Vegas police renewed their investigation years after the murder, culminating in a search of a home connected to Davis in July 2023. Two months later, Davis was arrested and charged with murder.

What Evidence Does The Prosecution Have Against Keefe D?

The prosecution’s case relies heavily on Davis’ own words and his alleged connection to the events surrounding Tupac’s shooting.

Davis’ Own Statements

Davis spent years publicly discussing Tupac’s murder and describing what he says happened inside the Cadillac that night. Those statements are potentially significant because they place Davis in close proximity to the events surrounding the shooting and provide prosecutors with his own account of the night. However, Davis has disputed aspects of his previous statements and has argued that some of the stories he told publicly were not literal admissions of guilt.

Keefe D’s 2019 Memoir

Davis’ memoir, Compton Street Legend, is another major piece of evidence. Prosecutors want to use portions of the book to support their account of Davis’ involvement in the shooting. The defense has fought the use of Davis’ previous statements, arguing that they should not be treated as straightforward admissions. A judge ultimately ruled that the memoir can be used at trial.

The 2008 Police Interview

A 2008 interview between Davis and police has also become an important evidentiary battle. Davis’ defense argued that statements from the interview should be excluded, including arguments concerning an alleged understanding between Davis and investigators. The judge ruled that the interview can be presented to jurors, meaning prosecutors will be able to use another decades-old account from Davis as part of their case.

The 2023 Search

Police searched a home connected to Davis in July 2023 as investigators prepared to bring the long-dormant case back to court. The defense attempted to suppress evidence recovered during the search, but a judge rejected that challenge in February 2026. The precise significance of each piece of evidence will ultimately be determined at trial. Prosecutors still have to persuade a jury that the evidence establishes Davis’ criminal responsibility beyond a reasonable doubt.

What Is Keefe D’s Defense?

Davis’ defense has challenged the prosecution’s reliance on his previous statements and the evidence obtained during the renewed investigation.

One of the central problems for the defense is that Davis spent years talking publicly about Tupac’s murder. His memoir and interviews provide prosecutors with a substantial record of his own descriptions of what happened. Davis has argued that some of his previous accounts were fictionalized or exaggerated. His defense has also challenged the circumstances under which some of his statements were obtained and fought to prevent certain evidence from reaching the jury.

The defense does not have to prove an alternative version of Tupac’s murder. It only has to create reasonable doubt about whether prosecutors have established Davis’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. That distinction could become crucial as the jury weighs decades-old statements against the evidence investigators have gathered more recently.

What Has Happened Since Keefe D Was Arrested?

The case has gone through years of pretrial litigation and delays since Davis was arrested.

September 2023: Davis is arrested and charged with murder in connection with Tupac’s death.

November 2023: Davis pleads not guilty.

2024: The defense and prosecution continue fighting over bail, evidence, discovery and Davis’ legal representation.

February 2025: The trial is delayed as Davis’ defense seeks additional time to prepare.

November 2025: The trial is pushed to August 2026 after further disputes over discovery and preparation.

February 2026: A judge rejects the defense’s effort to suppress evidence obtained during the 2023 search.

July 2026: Judges rule that Davis’ memoir and 2008 police interview can be used as evidence at trial.

August 10, 2026: Jury selection begins in Las Vegas.

What Happened To Orlando Anderson And The Other Suspects?

Orlando Anderson has been one of the most important names in the investigation since the night Tupac was shot. Anderson was involved in the fight with Tupac and his associates at the MGM Grand shortly before the shooting. Investigators subsequently considered him a suspect in Tupac’s killing, though there have been conflicting claims surrounding his involvement and he was also never charged.

Anderson maintained that he was not responsible for Tupac’s death. In May 1998, less than two years after Tupac was killed, Anderson was shot and killed in Compton at 23. Now, nearly three decades after Tupac’s death, prosecutors are asking a jury to determine whether Davis was criminally responsible for a murder in which the alleged shooter is dead. For more information on the key players, check out our piece here.

Could Suge Knight Testify In The Tupac Murder Trial?

Suge Knight was sitting beside Tupac when the rapper was shot and was also wounded in the attack. And because he was right next to Tupac, he potentially has firsthand knowledge of what occurred that evening. While he’s been identified on the witness list and may possibly have to testify, he’s already made it abundantly clear that he’ll make prosecutors and the defense regret making him take the stand if he’s forced to. Essentially, he has no interest in cooperating. Suge Knight is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence for a hit-and-run incident in 2015.

Is Diddy Involved In The Tupac Murder Trial?

The conspiracy theories surrounding Diddy’s connection to the Tupac murder have been rampant for decades, especially since all of this happened in the midst of the Death Row-Bad Boy beef. The theories, though, have no actual connection to the criminal case against Keefe D, who has previously made claims about Diddy’s interest in the East Coast-West Coast conflict. Perhaps his name might be mentioned, but there isn’t any concrete evidence that ties the Bad Boy mogul to the case. However, there has been speculation that Diddy may have to take the stand. The criminal case only focuses on Davis. 

When Will The Tupac Murder Trial End?

Jury selection began in Las Vegas on August 10, 2026 and on August 13th, a jury of six men and 10 women have been selected. With opening statements beginning on Monday, the trial is expected to last approximately four to five weeks, although the exact schedule could change depending on the number of witnesses, evidence and legal issues that arise in court.

What Happens If Keefe D Is Convicted?

If Davis is found guilty of murder, he faces a potential sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. A conviction would also make Davis the first person to be legally held responsible for Tupac’s murder. However, it would not necessarily answer every question about what happened on September 7, 1996.

What Happens If Keefe D Is Found Not Guilty?

An acquittal would mean that prosecutors failed to prove Davis’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and more importantly, it would not necessarily establish who killed Tupac. The jury would be deciding whether Davis is criminally responsible based on the evidence presented in court. A finding that prosecutors did not prove that case would not automatically validate another suspect or theory. Ultimately, an acquittal could therefore leave the central historical question unresolved: who was actually responsible for Tupac Shakur’s murder?

Will The Tupac Murder Trial Finally Solve Tupac’s Murder?

The trial could finally produce a legal answer to one of the biggest questions in hip-hop history, but a conviction of Keefe D would not necessarily resolve every mystery surrounding Tupac Shakur’s death. The jury will be asked to determine whether Davis is criminally responsible for the murder. That is a narrower question than determining exactly what happened inside the white Cadillac, who fired the fatal shots, or whether everyone involved in the attack has been identified. Whatever the verdict, the trial should finally provide a legal judgment based on evidence presented under oath in Tupac’s murder case, which has undoubtedly lacked for nearly three decades.

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