Graphic autopsy photographs of late rapper Tupac Shakur have been shown to jurors during the Las Vegas murder trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, who is accused of orchestrating the 1996 drive-by shooting that killed the music icon.

Several members of Tupac’s family reportedly left the courtroom on Tuesday, August 18, before the photographs were displayed, while others remained to hear the forensic testimony surrounding his death.

Davis, 63, has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and could face life imprisonment if convicted. His lawyer, Michael Sanft, dismissed the prosecution’s case as “fiction” during his opening statement, arguing that authorities had previously declined to charge Davis despite statements he allegedly made about the case.

Forensic pathologist and Clark County medical examiner Dr Lisa Gavin was called as an expert witness on the second day of testimony. She walked jurors through photographs of Tupac’s body, including images showing multiple gunshot wounds and chest tubes from the six days he spent in hospital before his death.

Gavin testified that Tupac was struck by three bullets, with one travelling through his chest and damaging a lung. The injury caused the lung to collapse and bleed, forcing doctors to eventually remove the damaged organ in an attempt to save his life.

She also said other bullets caused damage to his intestines and other parts of his body.

The courtroom reportedly fell silent as jurors examined the images. Some relatives looked away, while at least one family member left the courtroom after the photographs were shown.

Tupac’s cousin, Zayd Akinyela, chose to remain, saying he wanted to understand exactly what happened to the rapper as part of his grieving process.

“I think we've been waiting 30 years to grieve properly,” Akinyela said.

He described his reaction to the images as one of anger and sadness but said his spiritual beliefs helped him cope with seeing Tupac’s body.

“I do believe that his spirit is still around and still lives on through his family and through his legacy,” he added.

The autopsy photos were not displayed on the video feed of the trial.

Tupac’s Autopsy Photos Shown in Court as Family Members Leave Trial

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