Watch: What we learned from opening statements in Tupac murder trial

What the report says

A former gang leader is on trial in Las Vegas over the killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, in a case that has drawn wide attention because it comes nearly three decades after Shakur was fatally shot in a drive-by attack on 7 September 1996. According to BBC World News, the trial has now moved into opening statements from prosecutors and the defense, marking a significant step in the long-delayed proceedings.

The defendant is Duane "Keffe D" Davis, 63, who faces one count of murder with a deadly weapon. He has pleaded not guilty. The BBC’s report focuses on the competing arguments presented at the start of the trial, with Shaimaa Khalil summarizing the main claims from each side as the case gets underway in Nevada.

The case matters not only because of Shakur’s lasting cultural influence, but also because it revisits one of the most closely watched unsolved killings in American music history. As with any trial at this stage, opening statements are intended to outline each side’s version of events rather than provide final evidence or verdicts. The BBC video says the courtroom proceedings are now advancing into what could be a closely scrutinized criminal trial in Las Vegas.