Las Vegas Judge Allows Keefe D Memoir as Evidence in Tupac Trial

A Las Vegas judge has ruled that a memoir written by Duane "Keefe D" Davis can be used as evidence in his upcoming murder trial for the 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur. The ruling, issued on Tuesday, June 30, represents a significant development in one of the most notorious unsolved murders in American history. Davis, 63, is charged with murder with use of a deadly weapon with intent to promote, further, or assist a criminal gang.

Clark County District Judge Carli Kierny determined that Davis adopted the statements in his 2019 book, "Compton Street Legend," as his own, despite defense arguments that the memoir was fictionalized and written for profit. Davis's attorney, Michael Sanft, had sought to bar the book from the trial, which is scheduled to begin on August 10, 2026. Sanft also attempted to block statements Davis made to police in 2008 and 2009, arguing that Davis believed he had immunity through a proffer agreement. Judge Kierny ruled those statements were voluntary but allowed prosecutors to use the memoir.

Prosecutors allege the book details Davis's account of being a "shot caller" for the Southside Compton Crips and includes descriptions tied to the night Shakur...