LAS VEGAS — A Nevada judge has once again denied the release of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, a former gang leader linked to the 1996 murder of hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur. Judge Carli Kierny expressed concerns regarding potential cover-ups involving the financial sources behind Davis’ proposed $750,000 bail.
During a recent hearing, Davis’ attorney indicated that they would submit further financial documentation in an effort to clarify that neither Davis nor the music executive supporting his bail plan to profit from the sale of his life story and that the funds were legally acquired. Judge Kierny stated, “I have a sense that things are trying to be covered up,” adding that she found the communication from the entertainment company involved to be suspicious.
Davis, who was arrested in September 2023, is the only individual to face charges related to Shakur’s murder—an event that has captivated interest for nearly three decades. Prosecutors allege the gunfire that resulted in Shakur’s death was the outcome of rivalries between East Coast and West Coast gang factions intertwined with the rise of “gangsta rap.”
Previously, Judge Kierny dismissed Davis’ request for a reduced bail bond involving the music executive, questioning the integrity of the arrangement and whether it served a hidden agenda. Nevada’s “slayer statute” prohibits convicted murderers from profiting from their crimes, adding to the complexities of the case.
The music executive in question has previously testified to his desire to assist Davis due to his battle with cancer and his significant impact within the community. Davis maintains his not guilty plea to first-degree murder charges. The start date for his trial has now been delayed from November 4 to March 17. Both Davis and prosecutors assert he is the last surviving individual from the vehicle involved in the fatal shooting that also injured music mogul Marion “Suge” Knight.
