Duane Davis sentenced to 40 years to life for murder of Tupac Shakur

Former gang leader Duane 'Keffe D' Davis was sentenced on Tuesday for the fatal shooting of Tupac Shakur in 1996. This makes him the first and only person charged in relation to Tupac's death.

Judge Carli Kierny ordered Davis to serve 40 years to life in prison, following the jury's decision that he was guilty of first-degree murder.

Though he was not the one who shot Tupac, it was Davis who planned the drive-by shooting in retaliation for the beating of his nephew by the rapper and Marion 'Suge' Knight earlier that day. Knight, the cofounder of Tupac's record label Death Row, was also in the car but survived. Davis has also previously admitted to providing the gun and instructing the shooter to fire.

"You don't get to take a man from his family. You don't get to take his very life, his whole future from him, and just walk away from it. Especially when that man is Tupac Shakur", Judge Kierny said.

Tupac Shakur was 25 years old and had released his fourth album All Eyez On Me, his second to reach number 1, months prior to the deadly shooting.

Two of Tupac's siblings also spoke during the trial. His sister Sekyiwa said she had been hospitalised for depression and PTSD related to his death.

"The impact from my brother's murder has been devastating, heartbreaking and sad, for me, my family and a nation of Pac fans and loved ones", said their brother Maurice. "Pac didn't get a chance to have any kids. Pac didn't see his nieces and nephews grow up, and Pac didn't have a trial. All Pac got was a death sentence [...]".

"I'm innocent, man", Davis said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last month. "They got an innocent man sitting in jail. I've got two grandsons that are going to the pros in football. [...] And when they get their millions, they’re coming to get me out of here."