The man accused of orchestrating the 1996 shooting death of rap icon Tupac Shakur went on trial Monday and pleaded not guilty. Duane "Keffe D" Davis, a 63-year-old former gang leader, entered the plea as his trial kicked off, according to reports.
Shakur's killing has remained one of America's most famous unsolved mysteries for three decades, inspiring countless books, documentaries and long-form investigative journalism. Davis is accused of orchestrating the shooting, which took place during a drive-by in Las Vegas in September 1996, though those details were not specified in the trial reports.
The trial is the culmination of years of public fascination with the case, which has been the subject of extensive media coverage. Davis, a former gang boss, now faces proceedings that could bring a resolution to a case that has haunted fans and investigators alike for nearly 30 years.
His not guilty plea sets the stage for a trial that is expected to draw significant attention. The case marks a rare criminal trial in connection with the death of one of hip-hop's most influential figures.