Diddy's past denials resurface amid Tupac murder trial

The ongoing murder trial linked to the killing of rapper Tupac Shakur is raising new questions, one being whether music executive Sean "Diddy" Combs could eventually face charges in the decades-old case.

The trial centers on Duane "Keffe D" Davis, who is accused of orchestrating Shakur's murder back in 1996 during a heated rivalry between East Coast and West Coast rap communities. 

Prosecutors say Davis wanted revenge after his nephew was allegedly attacked by Shakur's group earlier that night. Much of the case relies on Davis' own past statements, where he has described his alleged role in the shooting in interviews, a memoir, and recorded conversations with police.

Davis' defense team argues these past claims were exaggerated or untrue, saying Davis has a history of embellishing his connection to the case.

However, one part of Davis' earlier statements to investigators has drawn new attention: a claim that Combs once offered him $1 million to have Shakur killed. 

Legal experts say that if true, this could technically open the door to criminal charges against Combs, even though he wasn't present at the shooting. Nevada law allows someone to be charged with a crime if they are found to have hired or convinced someone else to carry it out.

“Combs could theoretically be charged for Tupac’s death even if he was nowhere near Las Vegas and never touched the murder weapon. Combs serving time in an unrelated case doesn’t change that,” former federal prosecutor and legal commentator Neama Rahmani told People. 

The legal expert continued, “Nevada law allows someone to be prosecuted if he personally commits the crime or if he ‘counsels, encourages, hires, commands, induces or otherwise procures’ someone else to do so.”

Combs has repeatedly denied any involvement in Shakur's death, calling the accusations false in the past.

This allegation isn't new. It emerged years ago as part of a larger federal investigation into both Shakur's murder and the unrelated killing of rapper Notorious B.I.G. the following year. 

Investigators at the time were also examining whether major record labels linked to both rappers had ties to illegal activity.

A former police detective testified that investigators once tried to confirm claims that Combs had given money to be passed along to Davis as payment for the shooting, though this was never proven.

However, legal experts also note that prosecuting Combs based on decades-old claims would be extremely difficult without independent evidence beyond Davis' own statements. 

Since the alleged shooter has since died, and Combs has never been named a suspect by police, experts say any case against him would face major legal hurdles.

Prosecutors in the current trial have not said whether Davis' trial outcome could lead to new legal action against Combs. Combs has not been included on the witness list for the ongoing trial.

Combs is currently serving a federal prison sentence after a separate criminal conviction from 2025. He continues to deny any connection to Shakur's death.