A Nevada judge is set to make a decision on whether former Los Angeles-area gang leader, Duane “Keffe D” Davis, will be released from jail to house arrest as he awaits his murder trial in connection with the 1996 killing of hip-hop music legend Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas.
Davis, now 61, has been seeking release since his arrest last September, becoming the sole person charged in the long-standing case that has captured public interest for nearly three decades.
Prosecutors allege that the fatal shooting of Shakur was a result of rivalry between East Coast Bloods gang members and West Coast Crips, including Davis, vying for dominance in the genre of gangsta rap.
The defense attorney for Davis declined to comment ahead of the hearing before Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny in Las Vegas.
Judge Kierny had previously stated that Davis could be released on a $750,000 bond if he could prove that the funds used for the bond were obtained legally.
Davis, who described himself as a former Crips gang leader from Compton, California, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. His trial is scheduled for November 4, with the possibility of a life sentence if convicted.
Despite being the only surviving occupant of the white Cadillac involved in the shooting, Davis has maintained that he orchestrated the incident but was not the gunman. His nephew and other passengers in the car have since passed away.
Prosecutors claim to have substantial evidence against Davis, including his own admissions in various interviews and a memoir. However, his defense attorney argues that crucial evidence, such as the weapon and proof of his presence in Las Vegas at the time of the shooting, is lacking.
The decision on Davis' release comes amidst a renewed effort by Las Vegas police to solve the high-profile case that has remained unsolved for over two decades.
