Jury begins deliberating in battery case of Tupac killing suspect

Noble Brigham and Akiya Dillon, Las Vegas Review-Journal on Apr 9, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

LAS VEGAS — A jury began deliberating Wednesday afternoon in the jailhouse battery trial of the man accused of orchestrating the killing of rapper Tupac Shakur after prosecutors and a defense lawyer painted opposing pictures of the fight in question.

Prosecutors allege 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. Davis was indicted in February on counts of battery by a prisoner and challenging someone to a fight.

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.

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.”

Prosecutors presented only three witnesses, 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.

Arnold did not call any of his own witnesses. The prosecution and defense rested their cases by about 12:10 Wednesday, the second day of trial. Attorneys were expected to deliver closing arguments Wednesday afternoon before handing the case to jurors to decide Davis’ innocence or guilt.

________