attorney

Judge Denies Marion ‘Suge' Knight's Attorneys Information on Potential Witnesses in Murder Trial

Prosecutors said providing the Death Row Records founder's defense team with names of some witnesses could open them to possible intimidation or threats

A judge on Friday rejected a bid by attorneys for former rap mogul Marion "Suge" Knight to obtain more information about potential prosecution witnesses in his pending murder trial, citing the need to protect them.

Prosecutors argued that Knight has a history of violence, and they feared that providing his defense team with names of some witnesses and addresses of others could open them to possible intimidation or threats.

Attorneys for the 51-year-old Knight countered that they wanted to interview the witnesses so they could prepare their defense.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ronald S. Coen, after meeting with attorneys privately, sided with prosecutors, saying there were sufficient legal grounds to withhold the information.

Knight is charged with murder, attempted murder and hit-and-run charges for allegedly killing 55-year-old Terry Carter and injuring Cle "Bone" Sloan on Jan. 29, 2015, by running them down with a pickup truck in the parking lot of Tam's Burgers in the 1200 block of West Rosecrans Avenue.

He is awaiting trial separately along with comedian Micah "Katt" Williams in a case charging the two with stealing a camera from a female paparazzo in September 2014.

Prosecutors have repeatedly cited Knight's violent history, stating in court papers filed last year that he "has been a violent, unrepentant criminal for over 30 years." They have said his past shows "utter contempt for the judicial system and human life."

Copyright CNS - City News Service
Contact Us