911 call in Suge Knight hit and run murder case released
LOS ANGELES (AP) — An emergency services recording was released Thursday in which a shaken witness reported seeing two men run over in Compton after a fight — an incident that led to murder and other charges against former rap mogul Marion “Suge” Knight.
The brief recording, supplied to The Associated Press by the Compton city clerk, was made on Jan. 29 after Knight’s pickup truck struck the men in the parking lot of a burger stand and sped off.
“The car ran over two guys, there was fighting and then he just pulled back and pulled forward and run ’em over,” a woman told the emergency dispatcher in a shaken voice. “Two guys are laying down.”
“We tried to follow the truck and we took pictures,” she added.
Knight surrendered the next morning. He is accused of killing his friend, Terry Carter, 55, and trying to kill Cle “Bone” Sloan, 51.
Michael R. Shapiro, an attorney who represents Sloan, has said his client has a mangled left foot and some neurological issues.
Knight, 49, complained of chest pains Tuesday, about an hour after he pleaded not guilty to murder, attempted murder and hit-and-run charges.
He was released from a hospital Wednesday and again taken into custody.
Prosecutors contend that Knight deliberately struck the men shortly after another confrontation in a different part of the city where filming was underway for a promotional video for the movie “Straight Outta Compton,” about the rise of the rap group N.W.A.
Knight’s former attorney, James Blatt, has said Knight was attacked by four people — including Sloan — as he pulled into the burger stand parking lot after Carter asked him to come for a meeting. Knight hit the gas as he fled in fear, Blatt said.
Knight’s current attorney, David Kenner, said his client is remorseful about Carter’s death but that does not mean he’s guilty of the crimes.
Knight is scheduled to appear for a hearing Monday to determine whether he can be released on bail or must stay in custody. He could face life in prison if convicted.
Knight founded Death Row Records, the label that helped solidify West Coast rap and attracted the likes of ex-N.W.A. member Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur.
The hip-hop figure was at the center of one of the most notorious rap conflicts of the 1990s, pitting Shakur against Biggie Smalls in an East Coast-West Coast rivalry.
Knight was sent to prison for nearly five years for badly beating a rival with Shakur at a Las Vegas hotel, just hours before Shakur was fatally shot while riding in Knight’s car in 1996.
Knight has survived two shootings, the latest about six months ago when he was shot six times at a West Hollywood nightclub.
__
Associated Press writer Christopher Weber contributed to this article.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
More About:Entertainment
You Might Like
