LAS VEGAS — Prosecutors rested their case Wednesday after calling 24 witnesses during a week-and-a-half of testimony. The presentation of evidence ended after nine days, with prosecutors playing more than eight hours of recordings, mostly of Davis himself discussing his role in the killing. In a 2023 jailhouse recording played for the court, Davis stated, 'I got blood on my money.' The defense rested after calling three witnesses, including two former Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers and a detective.

Defense attorney Michael Sanft stated he had a detective and two police officers lined up to testify. Davis did not take the stand during the trial.

Former Compton gang detective Robert Ladd testified that Davis was a high-ranking “shot caller” whose authority meant younger gang members would not have opened fire on Shakur with Davis present unless he allowed it. Ladd also testified that Shakur's shooting triggered a 10-day war in Compton between the South Side Crips and Mob Piru, resulting in three killings and 10 attempted murders.

Ladd acknowledged that aside from Davis’ own admissions, he had no physical evidence placing Davis in Las Vegas on the night of the shooting and no phone records showing Davis ordered the shooting. Former LVMPD Sgt. Stan Hyt and former Lt. Charlie Mangrum testified they were working overtime the night Shakur was shot, keeping an eye on the Las Vegas home of Suge Knight.

Hyt and Mangrum testified they saw a light-colored Cadillac arrive at Suge Knight's house and later leave as part of a convoy that included Knight driving Shakur in his BMW. Former Las Vegas Metropolitan Police homicide Det. Dan Long testified that the paper case file had to be “locked down” at one point because “curious” department employees were accessing it to read about the investigation.

Long testified that some of his reports were later lost when the department switched electronic storage systems. Retired Las Vegas homicide detective Long testified that he tried unsuccessfully to verify several details Davis provided during a 2009 police interview.

Long said he was unable to find hospital records confirming Orlando Anderson was treated at a Las Vegas hospital after being beaten by Shakur. Long also tried unsuccessfully to locate records for a white Cadillac that Davis said had been rented before the shooting. Long acknowledged he had no independent facts outside of what he told him confirming Davis was in the Cadillac.

Why It Matters

The trial represents a development in a case that remained unsolved for decades, relying heavily on Davis's own admissions rather than traditional physical evidence. The proceedings have shown the challenges of prosecuting historical crimes where investigative records may be incomplete or lost over time.

The outcome will determine whether witness testimony and recorded statements are sufficient to secure a conviction in the absence of forensic proof placing the defendant at the scene. The case has drawn attention from fans and observers who view the verdict as a final chapter in the pursuit of accountability for Shakur's death.

Timeline

Tupac Shakur was shot on September 7, 1996, while riding in a BMW on the Las Vegas Strip. Marion “Suge” Knight was driving the BMW in which Tupac Shakur was riding during the shooting.

A white Cadillac pulled up next to Tupac Shakur's vehicle at a red light before gunfire erupted. Marion “Suge” Knight survived the shooting.

What's New

Later reporting indicates the official record of the event states that the defense called three witnesses, including two former Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers, during the trial of Duane Davis for the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur. The jury is scheduled to return for closing arguments before beginning deliberations in the trial of Duane Davis for the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur. The official record of the event states that the prosecution rested Wednesday after a week-and-a-half of testimony in the trial of Duane Davis for the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur.

Additional context notes that prosecutors allege Duane Davis orchestrated the shooting in retaliation for a casino brawl involving Shakur and Davis’ nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson.