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Live updates: Jury begins deliberations in Tupac’s murder trial - CNN
From CNN via USVI News: During closing statements, prosecutors said circumstantial evidence and Duane Davis’ own admissions tie him to the crime. The defense argued their own client is a liar. Follow for the latest updates.
Monday was a jam-packed day of drama in the murder case against Duane Davis as prosecutors and Davis’ attorney gave fervent presentations of their cases during closing statements, concluding two weeks of testimony.
And following just under three hours of deliberations, the jurors reached their conclusion – Davis was convicted of first-degree murder for his role in the death of Tupac Shakur.
Shakur’s family was emotional as the news came down. Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, the rapper’s sister, was seen crying quietly as family members held hands.
As the day closes, here is what you need to know:
Prosecutors argued Davis and his nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, “went hunting” for Shakur after Anderson was in a fight with Shakur and his entourage at the MGM Grand following a Mike Tyson boxing match, Chief Deputy District Attorney Binu Palal said. Davis led the charge through his role as a “shot caller” for the Southside Compton Crips and ultimately was driven by self-interest in his statements, Palal said.
Prosecutors showed a chart during closing arguments comparing Davis’ four statements on what happened throughout the years.
Defense attorney Michael Sanft said Davis was inconsistent in his statements, and that the evidence showed Davis was “telling you fiction.” In addition, the evidence tying Davis to the crime was incomplete, he said, noting the prosecution didn’t present documentation to show Davis was in Las Vegas at the time.
Jury deliberations went for about three hours. The jury received instructions on how to handle the case in the morning before closing statements started.
Davis’ sentencing is scheduled for October 13, where he faces life in prison without parole for his first-degree murder conviction. The prosecution considered trying to add a gang enhancement, but opted not to pursue it due to “witness logistics,” Palal said in court.
Shakur’s loved ones were seen embracing after court finished, with the rapper’s stepbrother Mopreme Shakur raising his fist in the air.
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