JUDGE RULES 2008 INTERVIEW ADMISSIBLE IN TUPAC MURDER TRIAL

A Nevada judge has ruled that a 2008 police interview with Duane "Keffe D" Davis can be used as evidence in his upcoming murder trial. Judge Carli Kierny determined the recording of Davis' interview is admissible, despite an objection from the defence that detectives told him the interview would remain confidential. Davis, 63, is charged with murder in connection with the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur and faces potential life imprisonment without parole if convicted.

The trial is scheduled to begin on 10 August and is expected to last approximately four weeks. Defence attorney Michael Sanft argued that using the interview violated Davis' understanding that law enforcement had assured him confidentiality. Prosecutors contended there was no legal basis to exclude the interview from trial proceedings. The recording was previously included in a book by former Los Angeles Police Department Detective Greg Kading and portions were featured in documentaries including a recent film about Sean Combs.

Davis has publicly discussed his alleged involvement in Shakur's death, including in a book he co-wrote in which he claimed to have been inside the Cadillac used in the shooting and to have provided the weapon. Shakur was shot multiple times on 7 September 1996 in Las Vegas whilst sitting at a red light with Death Row Records founder Marion "Suge" Knight, who survived with minor injuries. Shakur died six days later. Three other people were in the vehicle with Davis at the time, including his nephew Orlando "Baby Lane" Anderson, but Davis is the only surviving occupant facing charges.