James “Mob James” McDonald testified Tuesday in the murder trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis regarding the 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur [3].
McDonald's testimony is critical because he served as a security guard for Death Row Records and maintained close ties to Suge Knight. His knowledge of the internal dynamics of the label and the gang affiliations involved in the Las Vegas shooting could provide essential links for the prosecution.
The former Compton gang member appeared on the stand during the second day of the trial in a Clark County courtroom [1, 2]. McDonald, who previously worked security at Club 662 on the Las Vegas Strip, provided limited and combative answers to questioning [1, 2].
During the proceedings, McDonald expressed a refusal to provide information that would lead to the incarceration of others. "Not gonna send him to prison," McDonald said [1]. He further said, "I don't want to send him to prison" [3].
The tension on the stand peaked when McDonald challenged the nature of the questioning. "Treat me as a hostile witness," McDonald said [2].
McDonald was one of eight witnesses who took the stand on Tuesday [4]. By the start of the third day of the trial, a total of 12 witnesses had testified [4].
Duane “Keffe D” Davis is charged with orchestrating the drive-by shooting that killed the rapper [3, 5]. The trial continues to examine the events and conspiracies that led to the shooting in 1996 [3].
“"Not gonna send him to prison,"”
The combative nature of McDonald's testimony suggests a lingering adherence to a code of silence common in gang-affiliated circles. By refusing to 'rat out' old associates, McDonald creates a hurdle for the prosecution, who must now rely on other witnesses or circumstantial evidence to prove the orchestration of the 1996 murder.
