This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Suge Knight Had Absolutely No Clue He'd Hit And Killed His Friend, Lawyer Says
Suge Knight's defense is in full swing: his lawyer says that his client, who was arrested on murder charges this morning, had no clue that he had hit two people and killed his own friend yesterday in Compton.
His lawyer James Blatt told the Los Angeles Times, "He had no knowledge whatsoever he ran over anyone. There’s no damage to Mr. Knight’s car."
The man killed in the hit-and-run was his friend 55-year-old Terry Carter. Blatt says that Carter was trying to help Knight who was being attacked by a group at Tam's Burgers in Compton: "Mr. Carter, to our knowledge, was not involved. … He was a friend. He was trying to break up the fight with Mr. Knight."
But Blatt says a witness at the scene told him that Knight was fighting for his life: “Mr. Knight was attacked by a group of men while he was in his vehicle. They were beating him, threatening to kill him and attempting to drag him outside of the vehicle. He made an effort to escape, he was in fear for his life. And that’s exactly what he did.”
A second man, Cle “Bone” Sloan, was also injured in the hit-and-run, Blatt says. He is an actor whose credits include "Training Day."
Capt. John Corina of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department told the Times that an argument erupted on the set of the NWA biopic "Straight Outta Compton" around 3 p.m. yesterday. Deputies say that they believe that after the argument Knight followed men in his truck to a restaurant, then ran them over in a parking lot.
"Looks like he drove backwards and struck the victims and drove forwards and struck them again," Corina told reporters yesterday. "The people we talked to say it looked like it was an intentional act."
Sponsored message
A 17-year-old named Robert Smith, who happened to be eating in the restaurant told the Associated Press he couldn't believe his own eyes: "To see the argument happen, it's one thing. Seeing the car incident, that was shocking."
Blatt is hoping that detectives can find security camera footage from the area that will exonerate his client.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
