Las Vegas judge allows crucial police interview for the upcoming murder trial
A Las Vegas judge ruled on July 28 that prosecutors can use a 2008 police interview and a tell-all book against Duane “Keefe D” Davis. The suspect faces trial on August 10 for his role in the 1996 fatal shooting of rap legend Tupac Shakur.
The highly awaited trial for the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur will begin next month. The court process starts on August 10 after several long delays.
Las Vegas judge Carli Kierny made a major ruling on July 28. She gave prosecutors permission to use older evidence in court. This includes a 2008 police interview with sole suspect Duane “Keefe D” Davis.
Crucial evidence approved
Davis gave police specific details about the crime during that 2008 chat. He named Orlando Anderson as the man who fired the gun.
”Popped them,” Davis told the police.
The defence team tried to block this interview from the trial. His lawyer argued the old meeting was strictly confidential. Officers reportedly told Davis the tape would not count against him.
Prosecutors successfully fought back against those claims. They noted that Davis wrote a public book called Compton Street Legend.
Decades old cold case
The judge will also allow lawyers to use the book at trial. The defence claimed the story is mostly fiction made for profit. The court rejected this excuse and approved the book as evidence.
Police arrested Davis in 2023 after he confessed in multiple public spaces. He admitted to giving the shooter the murder weapon.
The attack happened on September 7, 1996 near the Las Vegas Strip. It followed a large fight at the MGM Grand casino. Shakur and his crew clashed with Anderson earlier that same night.
Anderson and two other men in the suspect car died years ago. Davis faces a life sentence in prison if the jury finds him guilty.
