Tupac killing suspect found guilty in Las Vegas battery case
The man accused of orchestrating the killing of rapper Tupac Shakur was found guilty of battery Wednesday after a jailhouse fight with another inmate.
Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 61, and another inmate, Rochlon Hamilton, 53, struck each other during a Dec. 23 altercation at the Clark County Detention Center that was captured in surveillance footage, according to prosecutors. Davis, whose attorney argued he acted in self-defense, was indicted in February on counts of battery by a prisoner and challenging someone to a fight.
He was found guilty on both counts after jurors deliberated for less than an hour and a half.
In a separate case, Davis is accused of organizing the shooting that killed Shakur near the Strip in 1996 as retaliation for a fight involving Shakur and his nephew.
Parallels between the cases
There were some parallels between the two cases. In both, prosecutors said Davis has a tendency to make comments that can be used against him, and in both, Davis’ attorney suggested his client’s own words could not be trusted.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Marc DiGiacomo argued Davis approached Hamilton, whom he disliked, before the fight began and took an “aggressive stance.” Once they attacked each other, it took three officers to pull the men apart, according to DiGiacomo.
He also said Davis made comments in recorded calls like “I got his (expletive)” and “I body slammed him.”
Defense attorney Carl Arnold said Hamilton approached Davis, poised and “ready to strike,” then attacked Davis.
“What was my client supposed to do?” he asked jurors. “What everybody has a right to do: stand their ground and defend themselves.”
Arnold argued Davis’ words in jail calls were “not even good evidence.” Davis said he was only punched once, but that wasn’t accurate, said Arnold.
A person in a fight is “going to give the best version of what happened in regards to them,” Davis’ attorney told the court. “They’re not going to say, ‘Yeah, man, he got me, beat the living tar out of me.’ That’s just not what’s going to be said. What’s going to be said is ‘yeah, I got him.’”
Prosecutors have said Davis’ public statements drove a renewed effort to investigate the slaying of Shakur.
“Mr. Davis chose upon himself to publicly confess to a crime multiple times,” DiGiacomo previously said.
Arnold has defended Davis in the murder case by saying his client is “a liar” who can’t be trusted.
‘Mutual combat’
Prosecutors only presented three witnesses Wednesday, all current or former Metro officers.
Correctional officer Ari Keim testified Hamilton said, “What’s up?” and Davis responded with the same phrase. Less than two seconds passed before the two started fighting.
It was not clear who started the fight, Keim said.
Both Hamilton, whose trial is scheduled for October, and Davis were guilty, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Parker Brooks. The men engaged in “mutual combat,” he argued.
Retired Metropolitan Police Department Detective Clifford Mogg told jurors he reviews Davis’ jail calls as a contractor. He said he heard Davis say he intended to “stomp” on the other inmate and make comments like: “I told him, every time he sees me, he has to get a lump.”
Under cross-examination from Arnold, Mogg testified Davis did not say he knew about the fight before it occurred.
Arnold did not call any of his own witnesses. Davis is scheduled to be sentenced on May 27.
He showed little reaction as a court clerk announced the verdict against him, but after it was read, he slowly shook his head back and forth in apparent disagreement.
Contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BrighamNoble on X.
