Duane “Keffe D” Davis is taking his fight over his conviction for Tupac Shakur’s murder to Nevada’s highest court, but the sudden death of his attorney has left his legal future uncertain.
The Nevada Supreme Court officially accepted Davis’ appeal on Monday, Nov. 9, according to court records obtained by XXL. The filing comes just weeks after Davis, 63, was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for the 1996 killing of the legendary rapper.
Davis’ attorney, Michael Sanft, filed the initial appeal paperwork on Oct. 30. However, Sanft died last week at his Las Vegas home, leaving Davis without legal representation. Authorities are investigating his death, and no further details have been released.
Despite the setback, Davis faces several deadlines. He has two weeks to request court transcripts, three weeks to submit a docketing statement and 120 days to file his opening brief.
“I’d like to have all my stuff back,” he told Judge Carli Kierny, referring to property seized during the investigation. “The computers, all of the phones, everything. And I’d like to appeal this matter.”
Prosecutors argued that Davis provided the gun used in Shakur’s fatal shooting on Sept. 7, 1996, following an altercation involving Davis’ nephew, Orlando Anderson, outside a Las Vegas boxing match.