Suge Knight’s Involvement in the Fatal Hit and Run

Thursday night, the co-founder of Death Row Records, Suge Knight, was involved in a fatal hit and run accident. He was filming “Straight Outta Compton”, a film about N.W.A, the night of the accident. Knight arrived at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood station Friday morning with his attorney. Homicide detectives were waiting there to question him.

The crash occurred at Tam’s Burgers in Compton, California. Lt. John Corina with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported that Knight ran over two men in the parking lot of the restaurant. The accident happened about 20 minutes after a fight broke out on the set of the movie. Corina also stated it looked like Knight hit the two men reversing into them, and hit them again by driving forward into them. Terry Carter died in the accident, and actor Cle “Bone” Sloan who appeared in “Training Day” was injured.

Witnesses have told the sheriff’s department that the accident looked like an intentional act. The department is treating the incident as a homicide.

Knight is defending himself by claiming he was attacked by two people and accidentally hit the two men while driving away. Knight’s lawyer, James Blatt, sees the incident as a “tragic accident”. He stated Knight had no idea he ran someone over. Blatt has stated he is positive Knight will be exonerated.

Knight is currently being held on a $2 million bail.

How can Knight defend himself if the case goes to trial? Hit and runs that end in death can be tried as a felony or misdemeanor. If Knight is charged with a misdemeanor hit and run that ended in death, he would have to pay between 1,000 and 10,000 dollars. He also would serve at least 90 days in jail.

But, if Knight is convicted of a felony hit and run that resulted in death, he will pay the same amount but spend two to four years in state prison.

There are four pieces of evidence a prosecutor needs to indict the defendant involved in a hit and run. They first must prove that you were involved in the accident that resulted in injury or death. Second, they must prove that you had knowledge an accident had occurred. Third, the prosecutor must prove one of the two: that you knew someone was injured or killed, or that the accident was so extreme that an injury or death was inevitable. Fourth, it must be proved that you willfully failed to do one or more of the actions above.

Since Friday, police have attempted to obtain video footage from Tam’s Burgers, but the cameras were broken. All other cameras of near businesses were turned away from the accident.

If police are unable to prove that Knight knew he ran someone over or that he did it on purpose, he could get off. Knight has an extensive rap sheet of assault and larceny charges, but this is by far the most serious crime he allegedly committed.