In a significant development, the upcoming murder trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, the sole suspect implicated in the 1996 assassination of rap legend Tupac Shakur, has been rescheduled by a Nevada judge. Originally slated to commence next month in Las Vegas, the trial will now take place on February 9, 2026. This decision to delay the trial was made by Judge Carli Kierny, who cited compelling new revelations from the defense team and the imperative to ensure a fair legal procedure as the primary reasons for the postponement.
During a brief court session, Judge Kierny expressed the necessity for additional time to adequately prepare the case to ensure that Davis receives effective legal representation. Given the complexity of the matter, both prosecutors and the defense have been instructed to reconvene for a status hearing over the summer months to review the progress made.
In response to the judge’s inquiry regarding the rescheduled trial date, Davis voiced his agreement to the delay. His defense attorneys had filed a motion seeking an extension, outlining the crucial investigative measures that still needed to be undertaken and emphasizing the importance of interviewing key witnesses to guarantee a fair trial. The defense team indicated that a private investigator had identified witnesses who could provide testimony affirming that Davis was not present at the scene of the fatal shooting.
Lead defense attorney Carl Arnold underscored the historical nature of the allegations involved in the case, highlighting the need for a thorough examination of critical facts that have yet to be fully explored. The defense has particularly pointed to discrepancies in Davis’s accounts over the years, contending that his descriptions of orchestrating the shooting were sensationalized for entertainment purposes and financial gain.
The tragic event in question occurred on the night of September 7, 1996, when Shakur was traveling in a BMW driven by Death Row Records’ founder, Marion “Suge” Knight. The shooting transpired at a stoplight on the Las Vegas Strip, as a white Cadillac pulled alongside their vehicle, resulting in a barrage of gunfire. Davis, a former gang leader charged with masterminding Shakur’s murder, has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to the first-degree murder charge since his arrest in September 2023.
Despite Davis’s admission in interviews and his memoir that he provided the weapon used in the drive-by shooting and was present at the scene, his legal team contends that he should not have been indicted due to purported immunity agreements purportedly reached with federal and local prosecutors while residing in California. Prosecutors, however, dispute this claim, asserting the existence of substantial evidence against Davis and questioning the scope of any immunity agreements.
Furthermore, the defense attorneys are casting doubt on the circumstances surrounding Shakur’s demise, suggesting that witness testimonies indicate he was in stable condition post-shooting and passed away unexpectedly after a week of hospitalization. They seek to engage medical and forensic experts to explore alternative theories regarding the cause
