Good news for embattled rap mogul Marion ‘Suge’ Knight, it seems that the judge has shown mercy. After being arrested in on murder and attempted murder charges last month, Knight’s bail was set at a staggering $25 million. The same judge lowered his bail to a more reasonable $10 million, something his lawyer, Matthew Fletcher, was within reach for Knight and that he could bailout as soon as today. In addition the judge also dropped one of the hit-and-run charges that resulted in the severe injury of Cle “Bone” Sloan and the death of Terry Carter.
Knight will now stand trial for one count of murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of hit-and-run. The additional hit-and-run charge was dropped because California law only allows one count of the charge against a defendant if he was using the same weapon; in this case it was Knight’s car that struck his two victims. In closing arguments Knight’s attorney maintained that Cle Sloan was the aggressor and that Suge was only protecting himself during the now infamous altercation. However prosecutors disagree and stated that the situation was mutual combat and that Knight used his car as a weapon. In addition, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Barnes stated that if Knight “ever had the right of self-defense, the moment he backed-up and Mr. Sloan was ran-over, he lost the right of self-defense…There was pre-mediation and intent when he (Knight) ran over him a second time.”
Knight’s next big day in court will be on April 30, 2015 when he will face arraignment.
