Las Vegas Attorney Michael Sanft Passes Away at 55

Michael Sanft, a Las Vegas defense attorney known for representing Duane “Keffe D” Davis in the Tupac Shakur murder trial, was found dead at his home on Friday morning. Sanft was 55 years old. The cause of death is currently undetermined, but police stated that it does not appear suspicious.

A close friend, Michael Sloan, who shared a passion for motorcycles with Sanft, confirmed the attorney’s passing. Sloan called Sanft a devoted friend and one of the best people he knew.

The attorney’s death follows a high-profile courtroom battle where his client, Davis, was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur. Davis received a sentence of 40 years to life in prison.

Tupac Shakur was shot in a drive-by incident on September 7, 1996, in Las Vegas, and succumbed to his injuries six days later. Duane “Keffe D” Davis was found guilty of orchestrating the attack after a jury deliberated for about three hours.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Davis organized the attack after an altercation involving his nephew, Shakur, and Marion “Suge” Knight earlier that night. They claimed Davis obtained a gun and sought out Shakur and Knight, placing himself in the vehicle used in the shooting.

Defense attorney Michael Sanft challenged these accusations, asserting that no evidence beyond Davis’ statements placed him at the scene in Las Vegas or inside the Cadillac involved in the shooting. Despite these arguments, the jury reached a guilty verdict.

The trial spanned nine days and included testimonies from 24 prosecution witnesses and three defense witnesses. The jury comprised 12 jurors and four alternates. After the verdict, Shakur’s sister, Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, displayed visible emotion in the courtroom.

Michael Sanft’s death comes at a poignant moment in a case that held significant public attention for nearly 30 years. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his passing.