Duane “Keffe D” Davis is on trial in Las Vegas for the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur [1].

The proceedings mark the first time a defendant has faced a criminal trial for the killing of the global music icon after nearly 30 years. The case represents a significant attempt by Nevada authorities to resolve one of the most high-profile cold cases in U.S. music history.

The trial began on Monday, Aug. 17 [2]. Davis, a former street gang leader, is accused of orchestrating the attack that led to Shakur's death [3]. Prosecutors said Davis supplied the murder weapon and acted out of a revenge motive against the rapper [4].

Court proceedings continued through Tuesday, Aug. 18 [5]. The trial is taking place in the Clark County Court in Las Vegas, Nevada [3]. Evidence presented so far focuses on the relationship between the defendant and the events surrounding the shooting [4].

Shakur was killed in 1996 [1], an event that sparked decades of speculation and various theories regarding the identity of the shooter. While several individuals were suspected over the years, the legal process against Davis is the first to reach this stage of litigation [3].

Legal teams are currently presenting arguments regarding the timeline of the crime, and the specific role Davis played in the conspiracy [4]. The prosecution said Davis was the primary catalyst for the violence that occurred on the Las Vegas strip [4].

“The case represents a significant attempt by Nevada authorities to resolve one of the most high-profile cold cases in American music history.”

This trial is the culmination of a multi-decade investigation into a cultural touchstone of the 1990s. By bringing Duane Davis to court, prosecutors are testing whether evidence gathered years after the fact—including potential admissions and gang affiliations—can meet the burden of proof for a murder conviction. A verdict in this case would not only provide legal closure for the Shakur estate but also set a precedent for how cold cases involving organized crime and high-profile figures are litigated in Nevada.