Suge Knight might not be prepared for the upcoming retrial of a wrongful death trial regarding the fatal 2015 hit-and-run of Terry Carter, as his lawyer had hoped to be freed from the case. According to Rolling Stone, over the course of the last three weeks, David Kenner claimed that nothing had changed and he was not prepared to try the case again.
In 2022, after two weeks of testimony from both sides, the jury deadlocked seven to five in favor of finding Knight liable for Carter’s death; however, a civil suit requires at least nine juror votes in favor for a judgment to be awarded.
“I am not ready because I’ve had a remedial breakdown in communication with Mr. Knight,” exclaimed Kenner, per RS. “There’s a conflict of interest. It is my position that the court should relieve me as counsel, and Mr. Knight should be able to try this case with counsel of his choice.”
The outlet also noted that Kenner alleged Knight had said something “disturbing” on a recent call that prompted his request to be released from the case. He also claimed that the 60-year-old had not paid him for his work in the 2022 trial. Still, the judge ruled against Kenner’s wishes.
Marion “Suge” Knight during sentencing at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on October 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
Pool David McNew/Getty Images
“Your motion to withdraw has been denied, and I stand by that ruling,” Judge Thomas Long said Monday (April 21). “It seems to me there’s no reason you can’t do the best you can to cross-examine and examine witnesses and present Mr. Knight’s defense as well as possible. Of course, Mr. Knight is always free to remove you as counsel anytime he chooses. That’s up to him.”
The Compton native interrupted the proceedings to detail his lack of communication with Kenner.
“I’m trying to communicate on the phone, and no one takes my phone calls. I’m not trying to be disrespectful, I just want to have a fair trial, and I need to communicate,” claimed the Hip-Hop mogul. “Over the weekend, I would call, and nobody ever takes my calls. If the court could let Mr. Kenner know I called to talk, and we need to communicate.”
After Kenner claimed the reasoning was due to the line being recorded, the judge granted the men one strictly privileged, unrecorded call with Knight at the end of each court day. Knight is currently located behind bars at a San Diego prison, serving a 28-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter in relation to Carter’s death.
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