Jury selected for Tupac Shakur murder trial; opening statements Monday

A jury of 16 individuals, comprising six men and 10 women, was selected on Thursday to hear the case against Duane "Keffe D" Davis. Davis, an ex-gang leader, is accused of orchestrating the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur nearly 30 years ago in Las Vegas. Opening statements in the high-profile trial are expected to commence on Monday.

Family members and fans of the legendary rapper have awaited this trial for decades, seeking answers about the 1996 drive-by shooting that claimed Shakur's life at the peak of his career. Shakur, then 25, was shot near the Las Vegas Strip during a period of intense rivalry within the hip-hop scene, marked by gang conflicts. Authorities charged Davis three years ago with murder, identifying him as the "shot caller" behind the killing. Davis has pleaded not guilty and faces a potential life sentence if convicted.

Prosecutors allege that Davis, now 63, was not the shooter but provided the gun and made the decisions that led to Shakur's death. He is the sole survivor among those believed to have been in the vehicle from which the fatal shots originated. The case against Davis gained renewed attention following the publication of his book, "Compton Street Legend," in 2019, which detailed his involvement with the Crips and the events surrounding the shooting, as well as his statements to police and media. Davis's defense attorneys argued unsuccessfully to exclude details from the book and a 2008 police interview, claiming the book was fictionalized and the interview was intended to be confidential.