A jury has been selected for the long-awaited murder trial of Duane Davis, the man charged with killing rap icon Tupac Shakur in a drive-by shooting more than 25 years ago in Las Vegas.
The selection process concluded Wednesday after days of questioning potential jurors about their familiarity with the case and the cultural significance of Shakur's death. Twelve jurors and several alternates were seated for the trial, which is set to begin with opening statements Monday morning at the Clark County Courthouse.
Davis, 60, was arrested in September 2023 and charged with murder with a deadly weapon in connection with Shakur's death. Prosecutors allege Davis orchestrated the September 7, 1996, shooting that killed the Grammy-nominated rapper as he sat in a BMW driven by Death Row Records founder Marion "Suge" Knight outside the MGM Grand hotel-casino.
Background
Shakur was 25 years old when he was gunned down in Las Vegas following a boxing match between Mike Tyson and Bruce Seldon at the MGM Grand. The shooting occurred as Shakur's car was stopped at a red light near the hotel, with multiple shots fired into the vehicle. He was struck several times and died six days later at University Medical Center.
The case went unsolved for decades, becoming one of hip-hop's most enduring mysteries. Knight, who was in the passenger seat during the shooting, was also injured but survived. Knight has never been charged in connection with Shakur's death.
Davis, a former associate of Knight and Death Row Records, has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. His attorneys have argued that prosecutors lack physical evidence linking him to the shooting and have built their case largely on testimony from witnesses with credibility issues.
The Charges
Clark County District Judge Kimberly W. Perkins is presiding over the trial. Prosecutors from the Clark County District Attorney's Office are handling the case, while Davis is represented by a defense team led by attorney Carl Arnold.
Davis has been charged with murder with a deadly weapon for allegedly orchestrating the September 7, 1996, shooting that killed Shakur. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reopened the cold case in 2018 before leading to Davis's arrest in September 2023.
The jury pool was screened extensively due to the high-profile nature of the case and its cultural significance. Potential jurors were questioned about their knowledge of Shakur's music, his career, and any prior opinions they had formed about the case or those involved.
Opening statements are scheduled to begin Monday morning, with prosecutors expected to lay out their theory of the crime and present evidence gathered over nearly three decades of investigation.
Key Takeaways
- Duane Davis is charged with murder with a deadly weapon for the 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas
- A jury of twelve members plus alternates was seated Wednesday after extensive screening
- Opening statements are scheduled for Monday at Clark County Courthouse
- The case was reopened by Las Vegas police in 2018 before leading to Davis's arrest in September 2023
- Shakur was 25 when he died, and his death remains one of hip-hop's most famous unsolved mysteries until now
What's Next
Opening statements are expected to begin Monday morning. Prosecutors have indicated they will call multiple witnesses to the stand during the trial's initial phase. The case is anticipated to last several weeks given its complexity and the volume of evidence accumulated over nearly three decades.
Davis remains held without bail pending trial. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.