Court Sentences Duane Davis in Tupac Shakur Murder Case

A Las Vegas court sentenced Duane "Keffe D" Davis to 40 years to life in prison on October 13, 2026, after he was convicted of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon for the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur. Davis was the only person charged in the case.

According to the court record, Davis, 63, must serve time before becoming eligible for parole at an age of at least 100, even with credit for time served. The jury reached its guilty verdict after nine days of testimony and three hours of deliberation in August.

Judge Carli Kierny addressed the impact of Shakur's death during sentencing, saying the killing affected the victim's family and remained remembered worldwide.

"You don’t get to take a man from his family, you don’t get to take his very life, his whole future from him and just walk away from it, especially when that man is Tupac Shakur. The world never forgot about him and his death and neither did Las Vegas," said Judge Carli Kierny.

Davis was convicted after prosecutors used his own statements to law enforcement and documentarians. They argued he helped organize the shooting that followed a rivalry between the South Side Compton Crips and Mob Piru.

Davis's attorney said he plans to appeal the conviction. The defense argued there was no physical evidence linking Davis to the crime and portrayed his statements as attempts to gain attention and money.

Davis briefly spoke in court about property taken from his home by police before declining to make further remarks.

"No I’m good," said Duane "Keffe D" Davis.

The case remained unresolved for decades after Shakur was shot on Sept. 7, 1996, while riding in a BMW with Marion "Suge" Knight in Las Vegas. Shakur died six days later from his injuries.

Shakur's sister Sekyiwa "Set" Shakur told the court that repeatedly hearing Davis describe the killing had been painful for the family. She said her brother was a protector who had planned to move beyond music into activism.

"This man’s life mattered," said Sekyiwa "Set" Shakur.

Shakur's brother Maurice "Mopreme" Shakur described the death as devastating for the family and fans. A fan, rapper Din "Lil Therapy" Malone, said he believes the case still has unresolved issues.

"I’ve been grieving for 30 years plus," said rapper Din "Lil Therapy" Malone. "I still got a frog in my throat from crying."

Malone also said he wanted other people connected to the killing to face charges. The three other people allegedly in the Cadillac with Davis have died, including Davis's nephew Orlando "Baby Lane" Anderson, whom Davis identified as the shooter.

Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said his office does not currently have enough evidence to charge others in the case. He said prosecutors could consider additional charges if new information emerges.

"While no amount of time in prison can bring Tupac back, we hope this sentencing brings some measure of closure and peace to his family after nearly 30 years. The case is a reminder that no matter how much time passes, our commitment to seeking justice never wavers," said Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson.