Duane Davis Lawyer Alleges Jury Bias After 3-Hour Tupac Murder Verdict

3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Sep 2

Less than three hours after deliberations, a Las Vegas jury convicted Duane "Keffe D" Davis in Tupac Shakur’s 1996 murder, prompting defense lawyer Michael Sanft to say jurors relied on "preconceived notions."
Sanft said the trial was tilted by Judge Carli Kierny’s rulings allowing evidence of Davis’ gang and drug past and by instructions that jurors could credit Davis’ own statements without corroborating evidence.
Prosecutors argued Davis orchestrated the Sept. 6, 1996 drive-by after Orlando Anderson was beaten, saying Davis supplied the Glock .40 and identified Anderson as the shooter from the back seat.
Davis had pleaded not guilty and claimed there was no proof he was even in Las Vegas that night, but prosecutors said his 2019 book and interviews voided an earlier immunity deal by placing him in the Cadillac.
Oct. 13 is Davis’ sentencing date; he faces up to life in prison, and Sanft said an appeal is coming and could take more than a year.