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A Nevada judge has denied house arrest for Duane "Keffe D" Davis, the former gang leader accused of murdering rap legend Tupac Shakur in 1996. This decision comes despite a $750,000 bond offer from a prominent hip-hop figure and Davis' ongoing plea for release ahead of his trial.
Judge Carli Kierny of Clark County District Court expressed reservations about Davis' proposed release plan. Her primary concern centered on the potential financial benefits Davis might reap from his story. The proposed benefactor, Cash "Wack 100" Jones, is a music executive with connections to several hip-hop artists. Judge Kierny wasn't convinced by assurances that Davis and Jones wouldn't profit from the sale of Davis' life story, particularly through a proposed television show based on his experiences. A review of Jones' financial records also failed to alleviate the judge's concerns, leading her to suspect him of being a "front" for the true source of the bond money.
Davis, 61 and in ailing health, has maintained his innocence since his arrest last September. This marked the first time anyone had been charged in Shakur's unsolved murder, a case that has captivated the public for over two decades. Prosecutors believe the shooting arose from a rivalry between East Coast and West Coast gang-affiliated rap factions, with Davis representing the West Coast Crips and Shakur linked to the East Coast Bloods.
Davis' legal team argued for his release shortly after his arrest, citing his health and lack of flight risk. However, prosecutors countered by highlighting a recorded jailhouse phone call where Jones discusses a multi-episode television show based on Davis' life. They argued that profiting from the crime itself violated the terms of release.
The judge, unconvinced by Davis' team's explanations regarding the source of the bond money, decided to maintain his detention. This leaves him in jail until his trial begins on November 4th. If convicted of first-degree murder, Davis could face life in prison.
This decision is likely to spark further debate surrounding the case. While Davis awaits his trial, the question of who funded his proposed release and the potential financial gain from his story remain unresolved threads in the Tupac Shakur murder saga.
Jeff Ian
