Tupac Shakur autopsy photos shown at murder trial after some family members leave

Autopsy photos of Tupac Shakur were presented in court Tuesday during the Las Vegas trial of Duane "Keffe D" Davis, who is accused of orchestrating the 1996 drive-by shooting that killed the rapper. Some of Shakur's family members exited the courtroom before the graphic images were shown, while others remained to confront the details of his death.

Dr. Lisa Gavin, a forensic pathologist and medical examiner for Clark County, Nevada, testified as an expert witness. Jurors saw a photo of a green body bag, followed by a graphic image of Shakur's body. Some relatives in attendance looked away, and one woman left the room. Gavin described three bullets hitting Shakur, with one piercing his chest and lung, causing it to collapse. Doctors had to remove the damaged lung in an attempt to save his life. Additional bullets injured his intestines and other body parts.

“

I feel like the details, especially for people that are close to him, honestly for me helps, helps the grief process. I think we've been waiting 30 years to grieve properly.

Shakur's cousin, Zayd Akinyela, told The Associated Press that he chose to stay in court to understand what happened. "I feel like the details, especially for people that are close to him, honestly for me helps, helps the grief process. I think we've been waiting 30 years to grieve properly," Akinyela said. He added that understanding the circumstances of his cousin's death is crucial for his personal closure.

“

A lot of people don't get to grieve until they understand what happened to their loved one and how it happened.

Jurors observed the photos, which showed Shakur's bloated body with multiple chest wounds and chest tubes still in place from his six days in the hospital. The images were not included in the trial's video feed. Gavin, who was not present at the original autopsy, testified because the examiner from 30 years ago has since died. Davis sat quietly, occasionally whispering to his attorney, as the photos and testimony were presented.

While Akinyela expressed anger and sadness over the images, he also stated his spiritual beliefs helped him process the visual evidence. "I do believe that his spirit is still around and still lives on through his family and through his legacy," he said. Family members who had left the courtroom returned for later testimonies.

“

That's why I wanted to stay and just see for my own personal closure.