A former gang leader, Duane "Keffe D" Davis, aged 60, has pleaded not guilty to the 1996 murder of the rapper Tupac Shakur. This plea was made during his appearance in a Las Vegas court, and legal representation was appointed for him.

At the time of the fatal shooting, Tupac Shakur was 25 years old and fell victim to a drive-by attack in Las Vegas. In September, Mr. Davis was officially charged, with law enforcement alleging that he had conspired with his nephew to plan the shooting following a dispute with Shakur in a casino.

Shortly after Mr. Davis's arrest, a news conference revealed hotel security footage from September 7, 1996, showing several individuals assaulting a man identified as Orlando Anderson, Mr. Davis's late nephew.

This altercation is said to have led to the retaliatory shooting of Shakur while he was waiting at a red light in his car. Tragically, Shakur succumbed to his injuries six days later.

Furthermore, the police disclosed that Mr. Davis obtained the firearm from an unnamed associate and cited his "own admissions" to the media regarding his presence in the vehicle from which the shots were fired.

Notably, the three men who were in the car with Mr. Davis at the time of the shooting, including his nephew, have all since passed away. Authorities have not clarified who actually pulled the trigger in the incident.

Shakur, whose stage name was stylised as 2Pac, is widely regarded as one of hip hop's greatest artists.

He sold more than 75 million records worldwide, enjoying chart success with hits including California Love, All Eyez On Me and Changes.

In June, the rapper received a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Noted