Closing arguments begin in the murder trial for the 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur.

The murder trial of Duane 'Keffe D' Davis in the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur is heading to closing arguments after nine days of testimony. AP News reports the defense rested Thursday following testimony from three former Las Vegas police officers. Davis faces life in prison if convicted of murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote a criminal gang.
The case hinges on whether Davis orchestrated the killing decades ago. His defense claims Davis fabricated or embellished his accounts for money and notoriety, arguing investigators failed to verify his story. Retired homicide detective Dan Long, the defense's final witness, testified he could not corroborate several details Davis provided in a 2009 police interview.
Prosecutors built their case on Davis's own statements to police. He claimed to orchestrate the drive-by shooting that killed Tupac in Las Vegas 28 years ago. AP News reports Davis said he wanted to kill the rapper to settle a gang dispute. The prosecution argues his detailed accounts prove he knew exactly what happened that night.
The defense strategy focused on poking holes in Davis's credibility. They argued he made up or stretched the truth to gain attention and money over the years. The Independent notes the defense presented three retired police officers to challenge the prosecution's evidence. Their goal was to show investigators never confirmed Davis's key claims about the shooting.
Retired detective Dan Long testified that when he reviewed Davis's 2009 interview, several details did not check out. Long could not verify multiple aspects of Davis's account despite attempts to do so. This testimony suggested the police investigation itself found gaps in the story Davis told them.
Closing arguments will now begin as both sides make their final pitches to the jury. Prosecutors will argue Davis's confessions prove his guilt. The defense will urge the jury to reject a confession they say lacks solid evidence. After closing arguments, jurors will decide whether Davis orchestrated one of hip-hop's most infamous murders.
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