WASHINGTON – Closing arguments are set for Aug 31 in the trial of a former gang leader accused of masterminding the drive-by killing of hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas, a cold case that became emblematic of violence permeating 1990s rap culture.

Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 63, is charged in Nevada’s Clark County with a single count of murder using a deadly weapon. He has pleaded not guilty.

Davis is accused of leading a group of men to kill Shakur, 25, who was one of rap’s most commercially successful and influential artists, in retaliation for the beating of his nephew.

Police said they long suspected Davis but did not have enough evidence to charge him until he went public with his story in media appearances and a memoir, which, along with tapes of his secret meetings with investigators, make up most of the prosecution’s case.

Prosecutors with the Clark County District Attorney’s Office are likely to argue that Davis’ story is generally consistent and that he has essentially admitted to arranging Shakur’s killing, which under Nevada law is enough to be charged with murder.

Davis’ words were bravado: Lawyer

Davis’ lawyer told jurors during opening statements that his client’s words were mere bravado and could not be corroborated. He also said there is no hard evidence to back up Davis’ claim or even prove he was in Las Vegas at the time of the killing.

Over the past two weeks, prosecutors played hours of recordings for jurors, including public interviews and secret meetings with investigators, where Davis said he was enraged after Shakur and his entourage beat up Davis’ nephew at a Las Vegas casino on Sept 7, 1996.

Davis and three other men, including his nephew, went looking for Shakur and h...