A former gang leader charged with orchestrating rapper Tupac Shakur’s drive-by shooting in 1996 has been granted bail set at $750,000.
Duane “Keffe D” Davis can serve house arrest with electronic monitoring ahead of a trial, which is set for June, the judge in the case ruled at the latest hearing.
The 60-year-old, from Compton, California, has previously pleaded not guilty to the rapper’s murder.
He is said to be the only person still alive who was in the vehicle from which shots were fired in Las Vegas, Nevada, on 7 September 1996. Tupac died from his injuries six days later.
Following Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny’s bail decision, court-appointed lawyers for Davis told the Associated Press (AP) news agency they believe the defendant can cover the amount set, despite having asked for bail of no more than $100,000.
They also noted that June may be too early for the trial, given the demands of preparing a defense over a crime that took place almost 30 years ago, and so they may seek a postponement.
The judge, hearing the evidence at the Regional Justice Centre in Las Vegas, did not set a new trial date but called for a hearing to check on the case in February.
