Diddy could end up playing a major role in the upcoming murder trial tied to the death of rap legend 2Pac.
According to The New York Post, Diddy — who is currently serving a four-year sentence in New Jersey — may be called as a key witness in the case against Duane “Keefe D” Davis, the man accused in connection with 2Pac’s killing.
Davis, 62, is the uncle of the late Orlando Anderson, a gang member who was reportedly beaten by 2Pac just hours before the rapper was shot. Authorities allege Anderson was inside the vehicle with Davis when gunfire erupted into the BMW carrying 2Pac. The rapper died on September 13, 1996, six days after the Las Vegas shooting.
In a recording featured in the Netflix documentary Sean Combs: The Reckoning, Davis claimed in 2008 that Diddy had offered him and his associates $1 million to carry out the hit. At the time, tensions were high between Bad Boy Records and Death Row Records — the label 2Pac was signed to — during the infamous East Coast-West Coast feud. The following year, 2Pac’s former friend and Bad Boy artist The Notorious B.I.G. was killed in Los Angeles.
Now facing a potential life sentence, Davis’ legal team reportedly believes that Diddy’s testimony could help clear him. They expect Combs to deny ever offering a $1 million payment — something he has consistently rejected over the years. If he does, the defense argues it would support Davis’ claim that his earlier confessions, including statements made in his own book, were fabricated for attention and financial gain.
“Duane has made his feelings clear – if Diddy is a witness or makes a statement denying what he told cops then that helps him hugely,” a family friend told NYP. “Another factor is that this case will be a jury trial..and there is a suspicion that celebrities are often seen preferentially. So if Diddy backed up this story [that Davis made up the tale of the million dollar payment] it would help immensely.”
Diddy has long denied any involvement in 2Pac’s murder. In a 2017 appearance on Today, he described the shooting as “senseless” and “tragic.”
Davis’ trial is currently set to begin on August 10, 2026.
