Michael Sanft, attorney who defended Duane “Keffe D” Davis in Tupac murder trial, dies
Michael Sanft, the defense attorney who represented Duane “Keffe D” Davis in the murder trial over the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, has died in Las Vegas, FOX5 Las Vegas reported.
Sanft was reported dead Thursday night. The circumstances surrounding his death have not been disclosed, according to FOX5.
Sanft represented Davis, the only person ever charged in connection with Shakur’s murder, during his high-profile trial in Las Vegas. He took on the case pro bono and served as the lead trial attorney for the defense.
Davis, a former leader of the South Side Compton Crips street gang, was convicted of first-degree murder in September and sentenced to at least 40 years in prison.
Prosecutors argued that he organized the September 1996 drive-by shooting, even though he was not the person who fired the fatal shots.
The case drew widespread attention after decades without an arrest. Prosecutors relied heavily on Davis’ own statements about his involvement, including comments in his 2019 memoir, Compton Street Legend.
Davis had acknowledged being inside the white Cadillac used in the shooting and admitted providing the gun, according to evidence presented at trial.
Davis’ defense team has continued to challenge the conviction. Court records show that a notice of appeal was filed on Friday, Oct. 30.
Sanft was a lead trial attorney at SOS Injury Lawyers, where his professional biography said he had taken more than 150 cases to jury verdict and argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
