LOS ANGELES (AP) — Marion “Suge” Knight is due back in court for a hearing in which prosecutors will detail some of their evidence in a murder case against the former rap music mogul.
A judge will determine whether there is enough evidence to support murder, attempted murder and hit-and-run charges against the Death Row Records co-founder.
Knight has been jailed since late January after he struck two men with his pickup truck outside a Compton burger stand.
Authorities contend Knight intentionally hit the men, killing Terry Carter, 55, and seriously injuring Cle “Bone” Sloan.
Knight’s attorney however says his client was ambushed and was trying to escape an attack when he hit the men.
The 49-year-old is being held on $25 million bail, an amount his attorney Matt Fletcher has argued is excessive.
Prosecutors must only show a fraction of their evidence and testimony to convince a judge that Knight should be tried, and the former music mogul does not have to present a defense during Monday’s hearing.
Knight’s court hearings have already become dramatic affairs - he has fired one set of attorneys during one hearing and was transported to the hospital after being brought to the courthouse for four court appearances. He complained last week when deputies brought Knight into court handcuffed to a wheelchair and has detailed health woes including weight loss and blindness in one eye when he’s been allowed to speak in court.
The appearance of fragility comes in sharp contrast to Knight’s violent reputation and his once-feared status in the music industry.
Knight was a key player in the gangster rap scene that flourished in the 1990s, and his label once listed Dr. Dre, Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg among its artists. Knight lost control of the company after it was forced into bankruptcy.
He faces up to life in prison if convicted of killing Carter.
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