Suge Knight Murder Case Delayed After He Hires New Lawyer
UPDATE, 10:13 am PT: The Associated Press reports that Suge Knight’s murder trial has been delayed, due to a change in lawyers for the Death Row Records co-founder.
Knight is now being represented by Thomas Mesereau, the attorney who defended Michael Jackson against child-molestation charges.
As a result of the change in attorneys, a judge rescheduled Friday’s hearing on Knight’s motion to dismiss his murder, attempted murder and hit-and-run charges to July 7.
Previously…
Marion “Suge” Knight, the former rap mogul who allegedly hit two men with his car in January, is returning to court to try to get his murder charges dismissed.
The Associated Press reports that Knight’s Attorney Matt Fletcher filed a motion ahead of the former Death Row Records CEO’s Friday hearing in Los Angeles, arguing that the case should be dismissed because one of the victims, Cle “Bone” Sloan, refused to identify Knight in court.
“There is nowhere in this transcript that Mr. Sloan ever identifies Marion Knight, the defendant, as a murderer,” Fletcher wrote. “There is nowhere in the entire transcript that Mr. Sloan even identifies Marion Knight as a driver of the red truck in question; the red truck that hit the victims.”
Also read: Suge Knight Trial Date Set in Hit-and-Run Case
During a hearing in April, Sloan testified that he’s “no snitch” and told the court that he would not play a part in putting Knight away.
“I don’t want it to get misconstrued that I told on this man,” Sloan said. “I’m no snitch. I will not be used to send Suge Knight to prison.”
Sloan added, “I can’t say this man ran me over.”
Also read: Ice Cube on Suge Knight's Murder Rap: 'I Hope You Get Out the Situation You're In' (Video)
Despite Sloan’s refusal to identify the 50-year-old Knight in court, prosecutor Cynthia Barnes argues that his statements made to detectives in conjunction with other evidence are enough to support the case.
Knight has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and hit-and-run charges for hitting Sloan and Terry Carter with a pickup truck on Jan. 29 in Compton, California, killing Carter and injuring Sloan. He faces life in prison if found otherwise, due to prior convictions.
Knight’s trial is scheduled for July 7.
Related stories from TheWrap:
Suge Knight Rushed to Hospital After Being Ordered to Stand Trial for Murder
Suge Knight Ordered to Stand Trial on Murder, Attempted Murder Charges
Suge Knight Murder Case: Lawyer Claims Racial Bias, Alleged Victim Testifies
