In a long-awaited development, the suspect accused of being the ringleader behind the murder of iconic rapper Tupac Shakur has finally appeared before a judge. Duane "Keffe D" Davis pleaded not guilty in a Las Vegas courtroom, marking a significant step forward in the pursuit of justice after 27 years.

Davis, a former gang leader from Compton, California, was indicted by a grand jury in Nevada last September on charges of murder and using a deadly weapon. He allegedly played a key role in the fatal shooting of Tupac Shakur, who tragically passed away after being shot while sitting in a car at a red light near the Las Vegas strip.

The arraignment for Davis had faced multiple delays as he initially appeared in court without legal representation on October 4. However, on Thursday, he was represented by public defenders. Davis has been held without bail since his arrest.

For years, Davis has publicly claimed his presence in the car during the shooting and pointed to his nephew, Orlando Anderson, as the actual shooter. Anderson himself died in a separate gang-related incident in 1998. Davis' consistent admission of his involvement led to authorities in California granting him immunity from prosecution. However, charges from Nevada present a different legal challenge.

Prosecutors contend that Davis organized the crime, regardless of who pulled the trigger. While Marion "Suge" Knight, former CEO of Death Row Records, survived the attack, Tupac Shakur succumbed to his injuries several days later.

During an interview with TMZ, Knight, who is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence for an unrelated case, stated that he plans on refusing to testify in Davis' trial. Knight emphasized a shared history with Davis, playing together on the same Pop Warner football team, and expressed his reluctance to see anyone go to prison.

Tupac Shakur's mother, Afeni Shakur, had previously voiced her belief that the Las Vegas police had no intention of solving her son's murder. While she and others have questioned the authorities' commitment to justice, the case faced a roadblock due to a lack of cooperation from potential witnesses.

Now, with Davis finally pleading not guilty, hopes are high for closure and further revelations surrounding the circumstances of Tupac Shakur's tragic death. As the trial proceeds, the late rapper's family, loved ones, and fans eagerly anticipate a resolution and their long-awaited quest for answers.