Duane “Keefe D” Davis Seeks Release Ahead of Tupac Murder Trial

LAS VEGAS – Lawyers for Duane “Keefe D” Davis have filed a move to have him released from jail while awaiting trial on murder charges related to the killing of rap legend Tupac Shakur. Davis has been imprisoned since his arrest in September, and his legal team is pleading with a Las Vegas judge to release him.

Investigators believe Shakur’s murder in September 1996 was payback for an earlier assault on Davis’ nephew, Orlando Anderson, at the MGM Grand casino. Law police recovered evidence pertaining to Shakur’s murder dating back to 1996 during a raid on Davis’ Henderson home in September.

The motion filed on Thursday argues that Davis should be released on his own recognizance or granted “reasonable bail” not exceeding $100,000. The defense contends that there is insufficient evidence to justify denying bail, asserting that “the proof is not evident, and the presumption is not great” regarding Davis’s guilt for first-degree murder.

“Duane should not be denied bail in this case,” the motion states. It proposes house arrest with electronic monitoring as an alternative pending trial.

One key argument made by Davis’s legal team is the reliance on an “astounding amount of hearsay and speculative testimony” during the grand jury proceedings. They question the credibility of excerpts from a book titled “Compton Street Legend,” allegedly written by Davis and Yusuf Jah, and highlight YouTube clips where Davis implicated Anderson as the shooter.

The defense argues that the state failed to verify the truthfulness of these interviews, asserting that they were done for “entertainment purposes” and profit. They stress that Davis’s health has deteriorated during his time at the Clark County Detention Center, citing a lack of regular oncologist check-ups and declining heart health due to inadequate dietary conditions.

According to Davis’s lawyers, he has demonstrated a commitment to leaving his past behind and has been a respected member of the Henderson community for the past decade.

Davis has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, and his next court appearance is scheduled for January 2, 2024. Despite District Attorney Steve Wolfson ruling out the death penalty, Davis could face a life sentence if convicted. The legal proceedings continue to draw attention as the case unfolds.

Credits: KTNV