While defendants in criminal cases argue that the evidence against them cannot be supported by concrete facts, Davis' lawyer, Michael Sanft, reversed this approach in his opening statement earlier this week.
Projecting a slide in his presentation that contained only the word "BULLSHIT," Sanft asked the jury, "What concrete evidence do you have to support any of what Keffe D said in his interviews or in his book?" posed the question.
Attorney and former prosecutor Catherine Christian stated that this strategy was the best and only possible option for Davis.
Speaking to Reuters, Christian noted that this type of defense is sometimes used in cases against gang members seeking fame or rappers whose lyrics are used as evidence, and said that the jury could be convinced that Davis made up false stories to increase the sales of his memoir and said, "This is his only defense and it is a good defense."
Defense lawyer Neil Rockind, who is following the case, pointed out that calling one's own client a liar poses a risk in convincing the jury that the new narrative is true, and said, "This creates a paradox."
Shakur's death in 1996 marked a turning point in rap history, cementing the violent image of hip-hop culture during the "gangsta rap" era defined by hostility between East Coast and West Coast artists.
Davis wrote in his book that he wanted revenge after people, including Shakur and rap producer Marion "Suge" Knight, beat his nephew at the MGM Grand casino in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996.
"Their attack on my nephew gave us the final green light to do something about them," Davis wrote in his book.
In his statement, Davis stated that he was in a white Cadillac with three other people that same night, gave a gun to two people in the backseat, and when they found Shakur and Knight's vehicle, one of these people opened fire.
Although the police could not identify the person who pulled the trigger, they described Davis, who provided the gun, as the "planner" of the action.
Nevada state law allows a person who participated in the crime to be charged with murder even if he or she did not personally pull the trigger.
Sanft, who asked in his opening statement to question whether there was enough evidence to support the narratives of prosecutors or Davis himself, called on the jury to be skeptical.
According to the law, the prosecution has the burden of proving Davis' guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and the jury must reach a unanimous vote for a conviction.
Although it is generally considered risky for the defendants to take the witness stand and become open to cross-examination, it is stated that the only way for Davis to personally explain this change of attitude to the jury may be to testify.
Stating that the cornered defendant will face challenging questions from prosecutors about why he changed his statement, Rockind said, "It is difficult for a witness to contradict his own words, and the entire defense strategy here is based exactly on this."
Shakur's relatives are also following the hearings, which have wide repercussions and are expected to last up to six weeks.
Family members express their hope that the trial will finally shed light on the incident.
The jury, which will make the final decision, will decide whether Davis' previous statements are true or a fabricated story about the underworld.
