KEEFE D has a chance to escape a potential life prison sentence for his role in killing Tupac Shakur – even though he confessed to his infamous crime.
His acting defense attorney Ross Goodman revealed to The U.S. Sun that Duane ‘Keefe D’ Davis could escape conviction despite boasting for years of being a central figure in the deadly shooting in September 1996.
AFPTupac murder suspect Keefe D, who appeared in court on Thursday, has a chance to escape a potential lifelong sentence, according to his lawyer[/caption]
The US SunHis defense attorney Ross Goodman told The U.S. Sun his client will plead not guilty to the killing on November 2[/caption]
Legendary rapper Tupac Shakur was just 25 when he was killed in a drive-by shooting in 1996Rex
Goodman stated that the Clark County District Attorney’s case, presented at the Las Vegas Grand Jury, is a “circumstantial case along with his statements.”
Goodman added that the prosecution may have a fight to convince a jury of Keefe’s guilt as “you have to have something other than somebody’s statement to establish that that person is guilty of the killing or the murder.”
Respected city lawyer Goodman confirmed that Keefe will plead not guilty at his next arraignment on November 2.
He also expects Davis to ask for bail while the case proceeds.
It is unknown whether Goodman will be retained by Davis, as the pair have some “issues” to iron out before a firm deal is made for his criminal case representation.
Speaking exclusively on video, Goodman told The U.S. Sun: “He is going to enter a plea of not guilty.
“His spirits were fine given the conditions he is under right now.
“He has been in custody since he got arrested at his house.”
Given Davis’ public admissions of his involvement in the killing and the Clark County’s DA’s Office expressing confidence in a conviction, Davis may face a tough battle to clear his name.
However, Goodman is more optimistic about his chances in a trial.
If he’s found guilty, he could face over 20 years or life behind bars.
Asked whether he has a strong defense to fight the case, Goodman replied: “It would be irresponsible for me to make those comments, but based on my quick review of the grand jury transcripts, it is a circumstantial case, along with his statements.
“But you have to corroborate what somebody says.
“There has to be some circumstantial evidence to support what somebody is saying.
“Otherwise you could say that you shot Tupac Shakur.
“I understand that a lot of people are taking credit for shooting Tupac and they are not charged with murder.
“You have to have something other than somebody’s statement to establish that that person is guilty of the killing or the murder.”
Goodman spoke to assembled media after the minute-long arraignment hearing in Las Vegas on Thursday.
He repeatedly insisted that he has “not been confirmed as counsel yet.”
Goodman stated that he “thinks there are defenses” for Keefe D, who has vowed to “fight the case.”
He added that he believes there are three crucial missing pieces of evidence.
”One thing that jumps out is that there is no gun, no car, and no witnesses from 27 years ago,” he said.
Currently, Suge Knight – who drove his BMW with Tupac inside on the fateful night – is refusing to provide witness testimony or any cooperation with prosecutors.
‘KEEP THIS CASE MOVING’
Davis looked ashen-faced as he walked into court wearing handcuffs and leg shackles.
After an 80-second summit with Goodman, Davis grinned briefly and even chatted with other defendants who appeared in separate cases.
The 60-year-old stared out into the gallery and shifted nervously, clearly feeling the discomfort of his shackles sat down.
The bald-headed criminal, who sports a grey beard, only stood when Judge Tierra Jones began the hearing.
Jones warned Davis that he needs to secure representation soon, saying: “We got to keep this case moving.”
She warned him that if he could not lock in counsel she would “appoint a public defender.”
The hearing lasted no more than 70 seconds.
The judge set the next hearing for November 2.
SHOCK ARREST
Davis was arrested near his Henderson home on September 29 after a grand jury indicted him for murder with the use of a deadly weapon and a gang enhancement charge.
In his memoir Compton Street Legend, Keefe wrote about how he helped secure a gun to murder Tupac as revenge for ‘Pac beating up his cousin Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson before a Mike Tyson fight at the MGM Grand in September 1996.
He detailed how he helped coordinate a team of fellow Los Angeles gangsters to kill the rap icon and his Death Row record label boss Knight.
In a confessional passage, Keefe threw the Glock pistol in the back of a Cadillac, where his nephew Anderson and another gangster sat.
Later, after encountering Shakur by chance, Keefe revealed that shots were fired from behind him into Suge and Tupac’s vehicle as they were driving along the Strip.
Keefe claimed that Tupac appeared to be reaching for a weapon before the execution, but his side fired first, essentially killing the rap star.
He also confessed to hiding the Cadillac and gun after the shooting and then having it repainted, repaired, and returned to a car rental firm, which made forensics tough to pin down.
Though Anderson was arrested by Los Angeles police three weeks after Tupac’s death, Keefe has never been held criminally responsible for any role in the murder.
Keefe’s full admission appears in the chapter entitled The Main Event in Compton Street Legend, where he says that Tupac deserved to die.
APDavis bragged about murdering Tupac in a tell-all book but was never held responsible for the alleged crimes[/caption]
The US SunGoodman claims there are still several gaps in evidence from prosecutors[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
