Los Angeles — In a surprising twist that emerged just weeks before a significant civil trial, Suge Knight, the former rap mogul, expressed astonishment during a court session when he learned via teleconference from a San Diego prison that his longtime attorney, David Kenner, had sought to withdraw from representing him. The hearing, conducted over a phone line, became a critical prelude to the re-trial scheduled for April 7, concerning the 2015 death of Compton businessman Terry Carter.
Knight, visibly unsettled by the development, told the court that he was eager to proceed with the trial and address the lawsuit that has been pending for years. He disputed Kenner’s claim of an “irreconcilable conflict,” emphasizing his long-term relationship and trust in Kenner. “I don’t want to put anyone in a bad situation, but I have some real concerns. I’ve known Mr. Kenner for a very long time, and I feel we still have a relationship,” Knight stated, underscoring his desire to move forward and find closure in the protracted legal battle.
Los Angeles County Judge Thomas Long found Kenner’s motion to withdraw from the case “untimely,” especially with the trial imminent. He denied the request, thereby maintaining the current legal schedule. The judge also appeared open to a brief delay of up to a week if both parties could streamline the evidence and testimony planned for the upcoming court dates.
Knight, 59, is serving a 28-year sentence after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the hit-and-run death of Carter. An initial civil trial in June 2022 ended in a deadlock, with jurors split seven to five in favor of finding Knight liable. The forthcoming trial represents a second effort to reach a conclusive verdict.
During the latest hearing, Kenner revealed that a recent interaction with Knight in a phone call had unveiled something “disturbing,” which he declined to detail, citing attorney-client privilege. This revelation, according to Kenner, hindered his ability to “competently and energetically” manage the case, thus spurring his request to withdraw.
Knight attempted to address the alleged “disturbing” element by suggesting it related to “death threats” made by a third party against Kenner. However, Kenner clarified that the threats were unrelated to his decision, recalling only a general concern about a witness’s sinister remarks from years past.
The heart of the civil lawsuit lies in the events of January 29, 2015, in a Tam’s Burgers parking lot, where Carter was fatally struck by Knight’s Ford Raptor truck. Lawyers representing Carter’s family accused Knight of negligence, while Knight has consistently claimed self-defense. He contended he was ambushed by Cle “Bone” Sloan, who allegedly assaulted him, although Sloan denied possessing a weapon during the altercation, insisting he held only a two-way radio.
The 2022 civil trial featured graphic surveillance footage of the incident, intensifying public scrutiny of the case. In a separate testimony, Knight had mentioned an earlier confrontation related to the film production of the N.W.A biopic “Straight Outta Compton,” which escalated tensions leading to the fatal encounter.
As the re-trial approaches, Kenner, despite being compelled to continue representing Knight, signaled plans to appeal the judge’s decision to keep him on the case. The unfolding legal drama ensures a complex and closely watched trial, as both parties prepare for another round in court.
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