A judge on Tuesday sentenced Davis, a former gang leader, to 40 years in prison after a jury found him guilty last month of plotting the 1996 drive-by shooting that killed rap superstar Tupac Shakur.
The conviction and sentence mark a significant development in a case that has attracted scrutiny for decades. Prosecutors argued at trial that Davis played a central role in arranging the attack that ended Shakur’s life, while defence lawyers challenged the strength of the evidence and sought to undermine witness testimony.
Tupac Shakur, one of hip-hop’s most influential figures, was fatally shot in a drive-by attack in 1996. His death has been a subject of intense public interest and numerous investigations over the years, and the recent trial represented one of the most high-profile legal actions tied to the killing.
Court officials said the 40-year term will keep Davis behind bars for an extended period; the sentence comes after jurors returned a guilty verdict last month. The defence may pursue post-conviction options, including an appeal, as permitted under the legal system.
The case is likely to renew public discussion about the investigation and about unsolved or long-running celebrity homicide cases more broadly. Observers said the outcome underscores how long-running inquiries can eventually lead to prosecutions, even decades after a crime.