The murder trial of former gang leader Duane “Keffe D” Davis has commenced in Las Vegas, nearly 30 years after the killing of American rapper Tupac Shakur.
Davis is accused of playing a key role in the 1996 murder, with prosecutors alleging that he planned the attack and provided the gun used to shoot the music star.
The case is linked to the long-running rivalry between groups associated with the East Coast and West Coast music scenes in the United States.
Tupac, regarded as one of the most influential rappers of his generation, was shot in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996, shortly after attending a boxing match involving former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.
He was struck several times during the drive-by shooting and died from his injuries six days later at the age of 25.
The rapper gained worldwide recognition through hit songs and albums, including California Love and All Eyez on Me, and became an enduring figure in hip-hop following his death.
Davis has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.
The trial is expected to last about a month. If convicted, Davis could face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
The proceedings are expected to revisit the events surrounding Tupac’s final hours and the gang and music-industry rivalries that dominated the hip-hop scene in the 1990s.
