2Pac Murder Trial Delayed to 2026 After New Evidence Emerges
The long-awaited trial for the murder of hip-hop icon 2Pac has been postponed to next year after new evidence allegedly supporting Keefe D’s innocence surfaced.
Originally set to begin next month in Las Vegas, the trial has now been rescheduled for February 9, 2026. Judge Carli Kierny made the ruling during a court hearing on Tuesday (February 18), following a motion from Keefe D’s defense team requesting more time to investigate fresh witness testimony.
Keefe D’s Defense Cites Key New Witnesses
Duane “Keefe D” Davis is the only person ever charged in connection with 2Pac’s 1996 murder, but his legal team claims new witnesses can prove he wasn’t at the scene of the fatal shooting on the Las Vegas Strip.
During the hearing, Judge Kierny acknowledged the complexity of the case, stating, “It looks like there are quite a few things that are left to be done to get this case prepared so that Mr. Davis can have effective assistance of counsel.” Keefe D agreed to the delay, signaling his confidence in the additional time helping his defense.
His attorneys argued that further investigative work was necessary to present a full case, particularly after the discovery of new witnesses who could potentially clear his name.
The Decades-Old Case and Keefe D’s Legal Battles
Keefe D has been in custody since September 2023 when he was arrested and charged with orchestrating 2Pac’s murder. Though he is not accused of being the actual gunman, he is believed to have played a key role in the setup of the shooting. The person widely thought to have pulled the trigger is his late nephew, Orlando Anderson, who was involved in a physical altercation with 2Pac just hours before the murder. Anderson was killed in a gang-related shooting in 1998.
Earlier this year, Keefe D attempted to have his charges dismissed by claiming that he had an immunity deal with law enforcement. His defense team pointed to a 2008 interview where Keefe D admitted involvement in the murder, arguing that the confession was made under a “proffer agreement,” which should have legally protected him from prosecution. However, prosecutors countered that there was no valid agreement in place, and the judge sided with them, allowing the case to proceed.
Keefe D’s Statements: Confessions or Entertainment?
Adding to the controversy, Keefe D’s lawyers have argued that some of his past statements about the murder were exaggerated for entertainment purposes. Over the years, Keefe has spoken openly about the incident in interviews and even in his book, Compton Street Legend, where he detailed events surrounding 2Pac’s death.
With the trial now delayed until 2026, the case continues to take unexpected turns. Whether the new evidence will significantly alter the outcome remains to be seen, but for now, the fight for justice in 2Pac’s murder remains unresolved nearly three decades later.
