\n<\/p>\n
LAS VEGAS — <\/span>A jury of 6 men and 10 women was selected Thursday to hear the case against an ex-gang leader accused of orchestrating Tupac Shakur\u2019s killing<\/a> nearly 30 years ago in one of hip-hop\u2019s most pivotal moments. <\/p>\n Opening statements at the murder trial<\/a> in Las Vegas are expected to begin Monday. <\/p>\n Family members and fans of the legendary rapper have been waiting for decades to learn the truth behind the 1996 drive-by shooting<\/a> that left Shakur dead at the height of his career. <\/p>\n Shakur was just 25 when he was shot near the Las Vegas Strip at a time when he was in the middle of a fierce battle<\/a> for dominance in a music scene shaped by rival gangs. <\/p>\n Authorities three years ago charged Duane \u201cKeffe D\u201d Davis<\/a> with murder, describing him as the \u201cshot caller\u201d who orchestrated the killing. Davis has pleaded not guilty and could be sentenced to life in prison if he\u2019s convicted.<\/p>\n Sixteen jurors were picked for the trial, which is expected to last about a month. During the selection process, potential jurors were asked about their favorite books and movies, if they had any strong feelings about gangs, and whether they had listened to Shakur\u2019s music. <\/p>\n Shakur still is considered one of the most influential rappers<\/a> of all time. More than 75 million of his records have been sold worldwide, with hits like \u201cCalifornia Love\u201d and \u201cDear Mama,\u201d including several albums released after his death.<\/p>\n He was in the passenger seat of a BMW driven by Death Row Records co-founder Marion \u201cSuge\u201d Knight on Sept. 7, 1996, when shots were fired from a Cadillac at a red light. Knight survived but Shakur died six days later. <\/p>\n Prosecutors have not accused Davis, now 63, of pulling the trigger that night, instead saying that he made the calls that led to Shakur\u2019s death and provided the gun.<\/p>\n In Nevada, a person can be convicted of murder for helping another person commit the crime.<\/p>\n Davis is the only person still alive who was in the car where prosecutors said the fatal shots originated. <\/p>\n The case against Davis was revived when Davis published the book \u201cCompton Street Legend,\u201d about the shooting and his time in the Crips, in 2019 as well as his statements during police and media interviews.<\/p>\n Davis\u2019 attorneys unsuccessfully fought<\/a> to block from the trial details written in the book and said during a 2008 police interview<\/a>. They argued the book was fictionalized and had a co-author, making it impossible to know which parts Davis wrote. <\/p>\n They also argued Davis\u2019 previous interview with a federal task force was supposed to be confidential and not used against him.<\/p>\n Among those who could be called to testify in the trial is Knight, the rap music mogul whose label represented Shakur. He continually has said that he wants no part in the trial.<\/p>\n