Judge Refuses to Dismiss Suge Knight's Case; Finds Evidence "Sufficient" Enough to Move Forward

Rap mogul is charged with murder, attempted murder and hit-and-run

By Francesca Bacardi Jul 07, 2015 6:32 PMTags
Suge Knight, CourtGetty Images

Marion "Suge" Knight's legal troubles won't be going away anytime soon. 

A Los Angeles judge refused to dismiss the case against the former rap mogul, who is charged with murder, attempted murder and hit-and-run for allegedly running down two men in January, which resulted in one death. Thomas Mesereau, Knight's defense attorney as of late, told the court that there were "some very troubling issues" about the case at hand, according to reports. He called it an "outrage" that a person would be charged with homicide "in a case like this."

Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Barnes, however, argued that there was "sufficient" evidence against the Death Row Records co-founder, 50, to move forward with the case. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Stephen Marcus agreed with Barnes. He said he had reviewed transcripts from a prior hearing who ordered Knight to stand trial.

Knight is charged with killing 55-year-old Terry Carter and injuring Cle "Bone" Sloan on Jan. 29 with his pickup truck. But at the time of the hearing, Sloan said he wouldn't be a "snitch" and be responsible for putting the rap mogul behind bars, so he claimed he didn't remember much from the evening. 

Knight has experienced a series of medical issues since being arrested in January. He has been locked up in lieu of $10 million bail, but according to reports, his defense attorney is said to be requesting a lower bail. He declined to tell reporters what amount he would be asking for instead.

When footage of the hit-and-run leaked in March, Knight's then-attorney argued that it proved that the mogul was attacked first before he struck with the fatal blow. But an attorney representing Carter's family said that the slain man did not attack his friend Knight, and Knight should have just driven off rather than hit Carter and Sloane with his car.

At the time of this case's events, Knight was out on bail in a robbery case, in which he was charged along with Micah "Katt" Williams. They are both awaiting a Sept. 17 hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require them to stand trial in the robbery case.