A former Los Angeles-area gang leader, Duane “Keffe D” Davis, is requesting to be released from jail to prepare for his upcoming trial on a murder charge. Davis, who is accused of involvement in the 1996 killing of hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.
Davis' defense attorney has filed documents seeking permission for Davis to post a $750,000 bond for release to house arrest with electronic monitoring. The trial is scheduled for November 4, and if convicted, Davis could face life in prison.
Prosecutors have requested a “source hearing” to ensure that any funds used for Davis' release are obtained legally. The bond backing company, based in New Jersey, has not responded to inquiries regarding the case.
Davis, who currently resides in Henderson, a Las Vegas suburb, is the only surviving individual among four people present during the 1996 shooting that claimed Shakur's life and injured rap mogul Marion “Suge” Knight.
Despite publicly admitting to orchestrating the shooting, Davis has denied being the gunman. Recent police efforts to solve the case led to a raid at his home last July. Prosecutors claim to have strong evidence of Davis incriminating himself in various interviews and a memoir.
Davis' defense attorney has expressed doubts about his credibility and stated that Davis may not testify at trial. The defense plans to call Knight as a witness and argues that there is insufficient evidence linking Davis to the crime scene in Las Vegas.
The case, which has remained unsolved for over two decades, involves the fatal shootings of both Tupac Shakur and rival rapper Christopher Wallace. Davis' trial is set to proceed, with ongoing legal proceedings expected to shed light on the events surrounding the tragic incident.
