He is infamous and a rap music mogul, but he can’t seem to escape the thug life. Marion “Suge” Knight is now facing very real charges of murder for striking and rolling over the head of Terry Carter with his vehicle. Knight also struck and seriously injured Cle “Bone” Sloan. The tragic incident reveals once again the sub-culture of Compton, California, and the main players that shaped the gangsta rap culture that made millions for White music companies. The trap of this lifestyle finally seems to have caught up with Knight and may send him to jail for the rest of his life. Knight pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges of murder and attempted murder and changed his defense attorney to a man who is well known in the music industry.
Knight’s new defense attorney is David Kenner. Kenner has been Knight’s longtime attorney and represented Knight and Death Row Records during the labels heyday during the 1990s. Kenner also famously represented rapper Snoop Dogg and was instrumental in getting the rapper acquitted of murder. In addition, the judge presiding over the trial, John Cheroske, has recused himself from hearing the case. The judge and Sloan’s attorney, Michael R. Shapiro, attended law school together and did not want the appearance of a conflict of interest. A bizarre and confusing start to a trial that is bound to bring up more of the backstory of N.W.A and the upcoming biopic, Straight Out of Compton.
