US News
Defense attorney plans appeal after Duane Davis convicted in Tupac Shakur killing
Counsel for Duane "Keffe D" Davis argued the jury held preconceived notions and reached a rapid verdict without thoroughly reviewing evidence.
The short version
- Duane "Keffe D" Davis was convicted of first-degree murder for orchestrating the 1996 drive-by shooting death of Tupac Shakur.
- Defense attorney Michael Sanft criticized the verdict, claiming the jury deliberated for under three hours and relied on preconceived notions.
- Davis is scheduled to be sentenced on October 13, where he faces up to life in prison.
- The defense confirmed plans to appeal the conviction, a legal process expected to take more than a year.
Key facts
- A jury convicted Duane "Keffe D" Davis of first-degree murder for the September 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur.[CBS News]
- Prosecutors argued Davis obtained the weapon and directed the drive-by shooting in Las Vegas to avenge an earlier altercation involving his nephew, Orlando Anderson.[CBS News]
- Under Nevada law, individuals can be convicted of murder for aiding and abetting even if they did not fire the weapon, and juries are not mandated to deliberate for any minimum duration.[CBS News]
- Defense attorney Michael Sanft objected to judicial rulings that admitted evidence of Davis's past gang and drug activities and allowed jurors to convict based on Davis's self-incriminating remarks without independent corroboration.[CBS News]
- Davis is set to be sentenced on October 13 and faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.[CBS News]
What remains uncertain
- The specific legal grounds and timeline of the defense's planned appeal remain pending ahead of formal filing.[CBS News]
Sources
- Defense attorney believes jury had "preconceived notions" in Tupac trialCBS News - Top Stories