An ailing and aging former Los Angeles-area gang leader is seeking release from jail to house arrest ahead of his trial in the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur. The former gang leader, 61-year-old Duane “Keffe D” Davis, is currently in a Nevada jail awaiting trial for first-degree murder. His attorney has filed court documents requesting his release, citing financial records proving the legality of the bail money.
The bail amount of $750,000 was partially secured by a $112,500 “gift” from Cash “Wack 100” Jones, a hip-hop music figure. Jones testified that he was supporting Davis due to his battle with cancer and his significance in the community. However, the judge expressed concerns about potential profit motives and the source of the bail money.
Prosecutors allege that Davis has been attempting to conceal the origin of the funds, raising suspicions about the legitimacy of the bail. They argue that allowing Davis to be released on bail could undermine the court's ability to ensure his appearance at trial, scheduled to commence on November 4.
Davis, originally from Compton, California, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prosecutors claim that his own statements, including those in a book published in 2019, point to his involvement in Shakur's murder. The killing is believed to have been linked to gang rivalry within the music industry during the era of “gangsta rap.”
Tupac Shakur, a prominent figure in the music world, had a successful career with multiple No. 1 albums and Grammy nominations. His untimely death at the age of 25 in 1996 shocked the music community and fans worldwide.
