Today is day three of the trial of Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis, accused of orchestrating the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas in 1996.
Today is a half-day of testimony that is set to begin at 1 p.m. While it’s unclear who exactly will testify or what the order of witnesses will be, the testimony on Tuesday referred to Marion ‘Suge’ Knight and Death Row Records. Knight was on the prosecution’s witness list, but has said he would not be cooperative if forced onto the stand.
Through two days of testimony, prosecutors have called over a dozen witnesses to describe the fatal shooting of Shakur in 1996 and the gang tensions that preceded it.
Eight witnesses were called on Tuesday, including a forensic pathologist who testified about the autopsy and a retired police sergeant who secured the crime scene’s shell casings.
William Heidmyer, a former security guard at Maxim Hotel, talked about hearing shots while in the parking garage.
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Sanft taking parts of the interview, asking Lee if he verified the info. “No, I did not.” Who in the FBI was responsible for following up on info about murder of Tupac Shakur? “I was not specifically tasked to follow up & track that down.”
Sanft: Was there an actual proffer signed…do you have a copy? Lee says agreement is between Davis & federal prosecutors…not him. Lee: if an individual comes in & they’re not truthful…we would report that to the U.S. Attorney’s office…federal prosecutors could use it for sentencing
Sanft points out that recorders were available during the interview with Davis. The documentation is from a report. Not a recording. Proffer: July 14, 1998. Proffer agreement: whatever you tell us, we won’t prosecute you for. Report: July 16, 1998.
Davis said they would have waited to strike back in Compton. Cross-examination from defense attorney Michael Sanft: Did you ever visit Compton PD to see how they do their work? No.
Davis talked about gang war after the murder of Tupac Shakur. Claims the reason people believe that Orlando Anderson is killer because Compton PD members were telling people that. Davis said he & Anderson were upset about MGM incident but wouldn’t do it with so many police around…
Davis said original supplier left the country, then worked with new supplier. Denied he was leader of South Side Crips. Davis entered a guilty plea. Sentenced to prison. They talk with him in prison. Davis said he was not aware of any motive for Death Row members to kill Anderson.
Davis told FBI he was at the museum where Biggie Smalls was killed, but denied involvement. Davis said a sketch of possible suspect in that murder looked just like Reggie Wright Jr. Talked about how Orlando Anderson died. Denied distribution initially, then discussed locations.
Talked about the MGM incident, which stemmed from the mall incident. Said Orlando Anderson went back to the hotel room after it. Repeatedly denied knowing who killed Tupac. Speculated maybe it was Compton police working for Suge Knight since Tupac was talking about leaving Death Row Records.
Mentioned Omar Bradley, former mayor of Compton, said he was associated with crime. Said Reggie Wright Jr. had drug distribution location at auto body shop & he had MOB James, distributing out of the shop location. Talked about mall incident a few weeks before murder of Tupac Shakur.
Davis said Suge Knight was associated with Mob Piru. When Knight was arrested, Reggie Wright Jr. took over. Davis said he never had issues with Suge Knight & the other individuals prior to the killing of Tupac Shakur. Accused Reggie Wright Sr. of being a corrupt cop.
Also discuss individual, ‘Fats.’ Discuss Wayne Day, large-scale drug trafficker. Davis said they were related. Davis said he had a side handled as far as drugs. He said Reggie Wright, Jr. handled the north side. Talked about the start of Death Row Records.
July 16, 1998. Proffer session. Purpose: info about gang & drug activity. He was not directly investigating the Tupac Shakur murder. They knew Davis was person of interest though & asked questions about it as well. They discuss individual, ‘Zip.’ Referred to as pimp.
Points out it is confidential.
Present: Partner was with him. Assistant US Attorney. Attorney for Davis. Says he and partner maintained confidentiality of it. He is authorized to talk about it today…federal government gave permission after state prosecutors made request.
Davis indicted for trafficking 2 kilos of powder cocaine. He does proffer with Davis, a common practice in the federal justice system, beginning of negotiation for plea agreement. Federal prosecutors & defense agree. In return, feds won’t use info to charge them. Can be violated though.
Investigated ‘Grape Street Crips,’ large gang. Largest Crips group in U.S. Controlled Jordan Downs housing project. Came across Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis. Obtained info to develop case…re: drug trafficking. Indicted for selling 2 kilos of cocaine. Evidence included wiretaps.
TUPAC MURDER TRIAL DAY THREE: WITNESS: Wade Lee, special agent with FBI in 90s. With FBI for 25 years, started in May of 1996. Retired about 5 years. Assigned to squad working on a major offenders program…federal task force. Several squads in LA assigned to different regions.
S: 8 News Vegas
