Kathmandu— Jurors in a Las Vegas courtroom heard an audio recording on Thursday of Duane Davis, also known as ‘Keffe D’, detailing his alleged involvement in the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur in 1996. The tape, from a 2008 interview with detectives, reportedly features Davis claiming that his nephew, Orlando Anderson, fired the shots that killed Shakur while the musician was riding in a car with Suge Knight on the Las Vegas Strip. Davis is currently standing trial for murder, despite not allegedly pulling the trigger himself, due to Nevada’s laws regarding gang-related crimes. The hip-hop superstar died days after the shooting on September 7th.

Details of the 2008 Recording

The audio recording presented in Clark County District Court features detectives assuring Davis that his statements would remain confidential and could not be used against him at the time. In the tape, Davis describes being in a car with Anderson and two other men when they pulled alongside Knight’s vehicle. He stated he had a gun but passed it to Deandre ‘Big Dre’ Smith, who declined to use it. According to Davis's account on the recording, Anderson then took the weapon from Smith and allegedly opened fire on Shakur.

Motive and Previous Statements

Prosecutors contend that Anderson shot Shakur in retaliation for an earlier beating by the rapper and his associates. However, Anderson was never charged in connection with the shooting and died in a separate incident in 1998. The prosecution argues that Davis’s multiple public statements over the years—including interviews and his 2019 memoir ‘Compton Street Legend’—invalidate any confidentiality agreement he may have had with law enforcement in 2008. These prior admissions, they claim, demonstrate a consistent account of his alleged role.

Defense Challenges Credibility

Davis has pleaded not guilty to one count of murder with the use of a deadly weapon to further gang activity. His defense attorney argued that Davis fabricated his previous statements in pursuit of financial gain and notoriety, characterizing him as someone who was “full of c**p” when discussing his alleged involvement. The defense maintains that no concrete evidence supports the prosecution’s claims against their client.

The trial is ongoing, with jurors now deliberating on the evidence presented by both sides. Davis faces a potential conviction even if he did not directly fire the weapon, under Nevada law concerning gang-related crimes.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.