New developments in the Tupac Shakur murder case

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 2020/10/01: A tribute to the American rapper and songwriter Tupac Amaru Shakur, better known by his stage name 2Pac and by his alias Makaveli.
Chip Shop BXTN, is a Hip hop chip shop on the corner of Coldharbour Lane and Atlantic Road in Brixton, London which serves food, music & hosts live events. (Photo by Dave Rushen/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 2020/10/01: A tribute to the American rapper and songwriter Tupac Amaru Shakur, better known by his stage name 2Pac and by his alias Makaveli. Chip Shop BXTN, is a Hip hop chip shop on the corner of Coldharbour Lane and Atlantic Road in Brixton, London which serves food, music & hosts live events. (Photo by Dave Rushen/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Images source: © GETTY, SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett | SOPA Images

7:03 AM EST, January 18, 2024

The revelation of a jailhouse call

In a significant development in the Tupac Shakur murder case, a jailhouse phone call recording involving Duane "Keffe D" Davis, the prime suspect, has been obtained and scrutinized by authorities. Davis, a former Compton gang leader, is heard discussing what appears to be a "green light" order on the call with his son. Prosecutors interpret this as an authorization to kill, suggesting a potential threat to witnesses in the case. However, Davis' lawyers countered this claim, stating that the conversation was misconstrued and pertained to a threat against Davis's family​​​​.

Bail and trial preparations

Davis, 60, who has been in custody since September 29, 2023, faces charges in connection with Shakur's murder and is currently held at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas. His trial is scheduled for June 3. Davis has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Despite his legal team's arguments that he is neither a flight risk nor a threat to the community, a Nevada judge set his bail at $750,000, significantly higher than the defense's request for a maximum of $100,000 or house arrest. The high bail amount reflects the gravity of the charges and concerns about potential dangers to witnesses or others involved in the case​​​​.

Controversy surrounding the evidence

The case against Davis largely hinges on his own words, drawn from his memoir and various interviews over the years, where he has admitted to playing a significant role in Shakur's killing. Davis' defense team, however, argues that the prosecution's reliance on these sources is flawed, as the witnesses have questionable credibility, and the book excerpts could be fictionalized for entertainment purposes. The defense also notes that Davis' media admissions were never verified for truthfulness and were possibly made for financial gain. Despite these arguments, the judge expressed concern over the nature of the jailhouse call and its potential risk, leading to the decision to set a high bail amount​​​​.

The legacy of a tragic crime

Shakur was killed in a Las Vegas drive-by shooting on September 7, 1996, a crime that has remained one of the most infamous unsolved murders in American history. The case's longevity and the celebrity status of the victim have kept public and media interest alive, with every development receiving significant attention. The trial of Duane "Keffe D" Davis is anticipated to be a substantial event, potentially providing closure to a case that has puzzled law enforcement and captivated the public for decades

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