A major music and culture story is developing today, August 10, 2026: jury selection has begun in Las Vegas in the trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, the only person ever charged in connection with the 1996 killing of hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur. Reuters and the Associated Press both confirmed the start of proceedings today.
Tupac Shakur Murder Case Goes to Trial Nearly 30 Years Later
Nearly three decades after the death of Tupac Shakur, one of hip-hop’s most closely watched unresolved cases has reached a courtroom.
Jury selection began Monday in Las Vegas in the trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 63, who has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge connected to Shakur’s 1996 death.
Davis was arrested in 2023 following renewed investigation into the case.
Prosecutors allege that Davis played a role in organising the attack that resulted in Shakur’s death. Importantly, authorities are not alleging that Davis personally fired the weapon. Under Nevada law, prosecutors are seeking to establish criminal responsibility based on his alleged participation in the events surrounding the killing.
Davis denies the charge.
Why the Trial Matters Beyond the Courtroom
Shakur’s influence extends far beyond his recording career.
His music, public image and commentary on race, inequality and American life helped make him one of the most recognisable cultural figures in hip-hop.
His death at 25 also became part of a wider period of uncertainty and controversy surrounding the commercial rise of rap music during the 1990s.
For almost 30 years, questions surrounding the case have continued through documentaries, books, interviews and popular culture.
The start of a criminal trial therefore represents a significant development not only in a longstanding legal case but also in a story deeply connected to the history of the global music industry.
What Happens Next
The proceedings begin with jury selection in Clark County District Court and are expected to continue for several weeks.
Prosecutors are expected to rely partly on statements Davis made publicly over the years, including comments connected to his memoir and media appearances. His defence is expected to challenge how those statements should be interpreted and used as evidence.
No conclusion about Davis’ guilt should be drawn from the charges or the start of the trial.
He remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
