Tupac murder: ‘Keffe D’ lashes out in court amid new evidence: ‘They trashin’ my family’

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The man accused of orchestrating the murder of rap icon Tupac Shakur lashed out at prosecutors Tuesday as a judge heard arguments about his bail.

Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 61, has remained in custody on $750,000 bail since his September arrest. Last month, Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny denied releasing Davis from jail pending trial after another man posted his bond, saying she was concerned the bond was a de facto contract for future interviews.

Davis has publicly said he was sitting in the front passenger seat of the car, which pulled up side-by-side to Shakur’s, before the September 1996 shooting near the Las Vegas Strip. Marion “Suge” Knight, the then-head of Death Row Records, was driving the car with Shakur sitting in the passenger seat. Knight was injured in the shooting. Shakur died from his injuries several days later.

Davis’ attorney, Carl Arnold, previously told the 8 News Now Investigators that his client was lying when making public statements about Shakur’s murder and that Davis should not be trusted.

In new evidence the 8 News Now Investigators first reported about last week, prosecutors said they confirmed Davis’ wife made a hotel reservation in her name at the time of the shooting. Previously, lawyers for Davis said there was no evidence placing him in the valley.

In court Tuesday, Kierny heard arguments from Arnold and prosecutors about why Davis should or should not remain in custody. During the hearing, prosecutors pointed to a gang member’s 2006 interview that they say implicates Davis in the murder.

In that interview, prosecutors said the man, who Arnold identified as Davis’ cousin, corroborated Davis’ account.

“He makes that confession two years before any statement the defendant ever made,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Marc DiGiacomo said.

Prosecutors noted they received “a box” of new evidence, regarding Davis’ previous discussions with police in California and other information, including the cousin interview.

As part of the Los Angeles Police Department’s investigation into the death of Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace, officials offered Davis a proffer, which Davis believed gave him immunity in the Las Vegas case. In 2009, Davis became a confidential informant for a task force created to investigate Wallace’s death, prosecutors said.

“[Davis] denied any involvement in that murder, however, he volunteered his knowledge about the murder of Tupac Shakur,” documents said. “Thereafter, on Dec. 18, 2008, he provided a recorded version of events similar to his other re-countings of the murder, all of which was consistent with the known evidence from the early investigation.”

“They’re not only ugly on the outside but they ugly on the inside,” Davis said in court Tuesday about the new evidence, expressing concern about their custody. “They just used something in those boxes! They just used something in those boxes from 1996.”

It was unclear on Tuesday what was the exact chain of custody, but Davis implied the box of new evidence came from retired Los Angeles police Det. Greg Kading.

Kierny appeared reluctant Tuesday to release Davis on bail, reiterating her concern he could profit off the crime amid reports of potential TV deals. Arnold stressed no Nevada law prevents a person from profiting off a murder until a conviction.

“Those boxes should not be allowed,” Davis said. “They’ve been in his house for 15 years — he’s doing interviews, going in the boxes.”

“Right now, his son, myself, even he can enter into a contract with any media entity and make money on this case,” Arnold said.

In a minute order posted after the hearing, Kierny asked Arnold to provide more documentation as to where the $112,500 payment was coming from to ensure there was no middleman, documents said. She gave Arnold a July 30 deadline.

Las Vegas Metro police arrested Davis on Sept. 29, 2023, near his Henderson home. The day before, a grand jury indicted him on a charge of murder with a deadly weapon with a gang enhancement.

Davis’ trial was scheduled to begin in November. Kierny will decide if the trial will start then during a hearing on Aug. 20.

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