The courtroom drama in the Tupac Shakur murder trial continues. On day two of the proceedings, things took a heated turn when Duane “Keffe D” Davis appeared to lash out at a key witness, labeling him a “rat” as he stepped down from the stand.
On Tuesday, Aug. 18, Reggie Wright Jr.—the former head of security for Death Row Records and a one-time Compton police officer—testified regarding his time at the label. Wright has long been a central figure in various theories surrounding the legendary rapper’s death, though he has consistently denied any involvement in the killing. As Wright exited the stand following an hour of testimony, court cameras caught Keffe D seemingly muttering “f**king rat” under his breath.
The tension wasn’t limited to that single exchange. Earlier in the day, witness James “MOB James” McDonald took the stand, making it immediately clear he had no interest in being there. The former Death Row security guard, who was in Las Vegas the night Shakur was fatally shot, grew visibly frustrated as attorneys pressed him on who he believed was responsible for the crime.
In a striking moment, McDonald addressed Keffe D directly, making it clear that while he holds no love for the defendant, he refuses to be the one to send him to prison. McDonald emphasized that he was only appearing in court because he had been subpoenaed and wanted to avoid being held in contempt. He maintained his stance that he was not part of Tupac’s entourage at the time of the shooting before being excused.
The trial, which is expected to span about six weeks, remains high-stakes for Keffe D, who faces a potential life sentence if convicted of orchestrating the 1996 murder.