LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Duane Davis, the man accused of orchestrating the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, has found himself facing fresh legal trouble. According to an arrest report, Davis was involved in a violent altercation with another murder suspect inside the Clark County Detention Center on December 23, 2024.
Davis, who has been charged with battery by a prisoner, allegedly got into a fight with fellow inmate Rochlon Hamilton. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said the incident began as Davis was being escorted back to his unit after a “contact visit.” Tensions escalated, leading to a physical confrontation.
Officers attempted to break up the fight by deploying pepper spray, but Davis and Hamilton reportedly continued to brawl. It wasn’t until additional officers intervened that the two were finally separated.
When questioned by authorities, both men declined to provide statements and invoked their right to legal counsel. However, Davis did tell officers that he was “just standing his ground,” according to the arrest report.
Davis appeared in court on January 28, 2025, for a preliminary hearing related to the fight. A judge set his bail at $50,000 for the battery charge. This latest incident adds another layer of complexity to Davis’s ongoing legal battles, as he awaits trial for his alleged involvement in the death of Shakur.
Davis is accused of giving the order for the shooting that killed Shakur in Las Vegas following a dispute in 1996. Authorities have relied heavily on Davis’s own public statements, including interviews where he boasted about his role in the incident. Despite pleading not guilty, Davis’s remarks have played a key role in the case against him.
His defense attorney has argued that Davis exaggerated his involvement in the killing for fame and financial gain, but prosecutors maintain that his claims align with evidence gathered over the decades-long investigation.
Davis’s trial for the Shakur case is scheduled to begin in March. As one of the most high-profile cold cases in American history, the trial has drawn significant attention, both for its cultural significance and its potential to bring closure to fans of the late rapper.
Meanwhile, the recent jail fight raises questions about Davis’s behavior while in custody and could potentially complicate his legal situation further. Whether it impacts his upcoming trial remains to be seen, but the altercation underscores the challenges Davis continues to face as he remains behind bars.
For now, Davis’s actions in and out of court remain under scrutiny, with both the public and the justice system watching closely.
