LAS VEGAS — The sudden death of Michael Sanft, the attorney who represented Duane “Keffe D” Davis in his murder trial, has left the appeal of Davis’ 2026 conviction hanging in uncertainty. Sanft filed the appeal with the Nevada Supreme Court only days before he was found dead on Nov. 6, prompting concerns about who will take over the complex case.

Background on the conviction

Davis was found guilty in October 2026 of first‑degree murder with a deadly weapon for the 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur. He received a sentence of 40 years to life. The conviction rested largely on statements Davis made to federal investigators, as well as circumstantial evidence linking him to the crime.

Impact of Sanft’s death on the appellate process

According to Chandon Alexander, owner of Spartacus Law Firm and a colleague of Sanft, the appeals process typically begins with obtaining trial transcripts, a step that must be completed within two to three weeks before filing a docketing statement and the appellant’s opening brief. Alexander believes the court will likely grant Davis additional time to secure new counsel given the unexpected loss.

Potential pathways for the appeal include:

• Sanft’s law firm could assign another attorney from within the firm to continue the work.
• If Davis cannot afford private counsel, a public defender may step in to file the opening brief.

Alexander warned that bringing in new counsel could cause further delays, as any replacement attorney would need time to review the extensive record spanning nearly three decades.

Legal arguments likely to be raised

In the upcoming briefing, Davis’ defense is expected to challenge several aspects of the original trial:

• The propriety of using statements from a federal proffer against him at trial.
• The nearly 27‑year gap between Shakur’s death and Davis’ prosecution.
• The sufficiency of the evidence, noting that no physical evidence directly ties Davis to the murder scene.

Alexander recalled conversations with Sanft in which the late attorney expressed concern over the lack of physical evidence linking Davis to the crime, suggesting this will be a focal point of the appeal.

What this means for the community

While the case is a high‑profile national story, its immediate impact is felt locally. The Nevada Supreme Court’s handling of the appeal will be closely watched by Las Vegas residents who remember the original trial and its media coverage. Any further delays could extend the period of uncertainty for victims’ families and for Davis’ supporters, who maintain his innocence.

Legal experts note that the outcome of the appeal could set precedents for how decades‑old homicide cases are reviewed, especially when key evidence is largely testimonial. The court’s decision on whether to grant additional time for new counsel will also signal how the state balances procedural fairness with the need for timely justice.

Next steps

The Nevada Supreme Court has not yet set a new filing deadline. Alexander expects the court to issue a scheduling order within the next few weeks, which will clarify the timeline for any new attorney to submit the opening brief.

For now, the Las Vegas legal community watches closely, hoping that the appeal proceeds without further setbacks and that the judicial process remains transparent and fair.

Original reporting: News 3 KSNV Las Vegas (local) — read the source article.