Judge denies Suge Knight attorney’s request to withdraw from wrongful death case

A Los Angeles judge has denied Suge Knight’s attorney's request to withdraw from a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Terry Carter, who was reportedly killed in a hit-and-run incident in 2015.

According to a report in My New LA, Los Angeles County Judge Thomas Long wrote in his ruling on April 3, 2025,

“Mr. Kenner’s motion, filed one month before trial (and) received by (Knight) two weeks before trial, and heard only two court days before trial, is a request to abandon his client at a critical point, severely prejudicing (Knight),” the judge wrote.

“This prejudice is amplified by (Knight’s) incarceration, hindering his ability to obtain replacement counsel and rendering his self-representation nearly impossible.” He added.

Knight’s attorney, David Kenner, said on April 3, 2025, that he could no longer represent his client (Knight) as he learned something “disturbing” about him and refused to give details. He added that he felt “anxious about being able to competently and energetically try this case.”

How did Suge Knight respond to his attorney’s request? Here is what we know.

Read more: Did Suge Knight slap Jermaine Dupri? Death Row Records co-founder speaks about dispute involving Michael Jackson's father

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What did Suge Knight tell the judge on his attorney David Kenner’s request to withdraw from the case?

According to a report in Rolling Stone, Suge Knight addressed the court by phone during his April 3, 2025, hearing. He said that he couldn’t proceed alone since his attorney wanted to step back from the case. He denied claims of an “irreconcilable conflict” between them.

“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. I do want to move forward. I’m very tired and want to put this behind me. I never wanted any delays in the first place.” Knight told the court.

When Kenner informed the jury that he had learned something “disturbing” regarding the case, Knight told the jury that he was referring to “death threats” made by a third party to the lawyer.

“Both he and I are in a terrible position. I don’t want to do it. I don’t want to [represent him].” Kenner said.

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What happened in the hit-and-run case in 2015?

The incident stemmed from a dispute related to the filming of the movie Straight Outta Compton. Knight was reportedly upset about not being paid for his likeness in the film.

According to a report in NBC News, on January 29, 2015, an argument broke out between Knight and two men, Cle "Bone" Sloan and Terry Carter, outside Tam’s Burgers. The security footage showed Knight’s truck going into reverse and throwing Sloan to the ground. Then the vehicle moved forward, driving over his legs and slamming into Carter, who stood nearby, killing him.

Suge Knight, whose real name is Marion Knight Jr., is a former record executive, a music producer, and co-founder of Death Row Records. He is currently serving 28 years in prison for his voluntary manslaughter conviction involving Carter’s case, as reported by Rolling Stone.