Tupac Shakur Murder Trial: Jury Selection Underway

Jury selection began Monday in the murder trial of Duane "Keffe D" Davis, the only person charged in rapper Tupac Shakur's 1996 killing. The proceedings are taking place in Clark County District Court, with Judge Carli Kierny presiding. Davis, 63, has pleaded not guilty to murder with a deadly weapon. Prosecutors allege he did not fire the fatal shots but supplied the gun. They also allege he ordered the hit to promote a criminal gang. The trial is expected to last about a month, nearly 30 years after Shakur died near the Las Vegas Strip.

Jury Selection Begins as Davis Waives Sentencing

Attorneys began questioning potential jurors Monday from a pool of 75 candidates. Sixteen jurors will be seated for the monthlong trial. Several prospective jurors were asked to return later in the week. Jurors were asked what they already knew about Shakur's murder and Davis' alleged role. They were also asked whether they had formed opinions that could affect impartiality. Judge Kierny confirmed that Davis waived his right to jury sentencing, meaning she alone would determine any penalty if he is convicted. Jurors are expected to begin hearing evidence Aug. 17. Public seating inside the courtroom is limited, so officials created a daily lottery system. An overflow room will show a live video feed for the public.

Suge Knight, Diddy Combs Among Potential Witnesses

Court officials read an extensive list of potential witnesses during Monday's proceedings. The list includes Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo and former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman. Music executive Sean "Diddy" Combs also appears among the names. One of the most notable figures is former Death Row Records executive Marion "Suge" Knight. Knight was driving the BMW that carried Shakur on the night of the shooting. Shakur, seated in the passenger seat, was shot multiple times on Sept. 7, 1996. A white Cadillac pulled alongside the BMW near Flamingo Road and Koval Lane before gunfire erupted.

Shakur died six days later, while Knight survived the attack.

Family members of Shakur attended Monday's hearing as jury selection began.

Case History: From Cold Case to Recent Trial Setbacks

Shakur's killing went unsolved for decades before investigators revived the case. Davis, a former South Side Compton Crips leader, made public statements about his role. He also detailed his account in a 2019 memoir that drew renewed attention. A grand jury indicted Davis in 2023, and he was arrested that September. The case has moved slowly since then, facing several delays before reaching trial. Defense attorneys previously argued that new testimony could place Davis outside Las Vegas. They also claimed other individuals may have orchestrated the killing. Prosecutors have not addressed those claims directly in public statements. Davis was also convicted of misdemeanors tied to a 2024 jailhouse fight. He unsuccessfully sought a new trial over juror misconduct.